Abstract: A neutral dischargeable effluent is developed by reaction between an acidic, spent photographic fixer liquid and an alkaline, spent photographic developer liquid; the spent fixer liquid contains iron in solution, the iron being introduced in a de-silvering pretreatment of the spent fixer liquid. The two liquids are fed into a treatment chamber and are allowed to react in the treatment chamber to form a neutral liquid and precipitated iron-containing solids; the solids settle in the treatment chamber and the neutral liquid rises upwardly through a synthetic organic polymer fiber filter pad into a discharge chamber above the filter pad; fine sticky particles suspended in the rising neutral liquid are retained by the filter pad; a neutral effluent is discharged from the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly includes a cylindrical housing, a top plate assembly, a top plate attachment member, and a replaceable coreless filter element. The housing has means for sealingly engaging the housing to the top plate, and a hollow central core having an open first end and being connected to the closed end of the housing at the second end. The central core has a plurality of fluid outlet perforations. The top plate has a rim, fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means extending through the top plate. The top plate attachment member has a tubular shape, and a fluid outlet port extending through it. The coreless filter element having annular end caps on first and second open ends is disposed in the housing. The fluid inlet means of the top plate are in fluid communication with a fluid inlet chamber defined by the filter element and housing. The central core extends into the first open end of the filter and the hollow cylindrical chamber of the filter element.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a plurality of filter members for purifying fresh water. A first connecting hose supplies fresh water to one of the filter members, and additional connecting hoses conduct fresh water sequentially to the other filter members. Thermal insulators surround at least the first connecting hose and at least one of the filter members to prevent the formation of dew thereon.

Abstract: A housing system for a removable filter cartridge in an automotive lubrication system. The housing is formed of a thin-walled sheet metal drawn cylinder, with end removed, to form an elongated cylinder with both ends open. A base end has a formed metallic base secured therein by a rolled flange in the sheet metal housing. A closure end has a formed threaded ring secured to the end thereof by another rolled and swaged connection between the sheet metal and formed ring. In the preferred embodiment, the base carries permanent center tubes, and the filter cartridge is of unsupported construction, containing no metallic supports, and adapted to be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.

Abstract: A filter press having an activating mechanism for holding the drip trays in a closed position before the stack of filter plates. The activating mechanism includes a fluid pressure cylinder which moves the drip trays between open and closed positions. The activating mechanism includes a linkage which moves into a locking position when the pressurized cylinder moves the trays into the closed position to automatically maintain the drip trays in the closed position even though pressure to the activating cylinder is relieved.

Abstract: A tool for tapping a container and removing fluid from the container includes a modified bit having a tip configured to bore a hole through a wall of the container, such as an oil filter casing or a tank wall, and a threaded frustoconically-shaped shank configured to engage the wall material defining the hole and to draw the tool into sealing engagement with the wall. A valve assembly is attached to the tip remote end of the modified bit. The valve assembly includes a hex-shaped surface for engaging a drill socket so that the tool can be rotated as it is pressed against the wall. A passageway extends through the shank for communicating fluid from the container, and a valve is located in the valve assembly in communication with the passageway to control fluid flow through the passageway. A cap fits over the valve assembly at the tip remote end of the tool during non-use and when the tool is being used to bore through the wall to protect the tool.

Abstract: A cover for use in blocking the openings in disposable oil filters for protection of the interior surfaces of new disposable oil filters from outside contamination and also for containment of residual oil within used disposable oil filters to prevent leakage of the used oil therefrom. The protective cover has a coverplate and a knob located on the upper surface thereof for attaching and removing the protective cover from a disposable oil filter. The protective cover may also have external threads on the perimeter of the coverplate for mating with internal threads on the disposable oil filter, an externally threaded inner shaft depending from the lower surface of the coverplate, a fixed or free-spinning knob, and studs for additional security in covering the openings located through the outer surface of the disposable oil filter.

Abstract: A water collection trough has an edge arranged in the plane of a roof and a bottom, arranged with spacing from the edge, with an opening. The opening leads to a drainage pipe mounted down at the bottom of the trough. Two parallel plates are arranged spaced apart, a lower plate being fixed in the water collection trough and an upper plate being fixed above the edge of the water collection trough. The edge of the upper plate projects beyond the edge of the water collection trough in such a way that, to form a closed flow in the drainage pipe. The water to be led away is accelerated ahead of the edge of the water collection trough and, after a two-fold deflection of about 90.degree. in each case, ahead of the opening in the bottom.

Abstract: An oil filter for internal combustion engines is disclosed herein. The filter includes a housing with a bottom arranged below an open top and a screw-on cover threadedly engaged within the open top. The housing includes an inlet duct, a first oil discharge duct in the bottom of the housing, and a second oil discharge duct in the bottom of the housing and coaxially surrounding the first oil discharge duct. A support part is provided within the housing having a first end which is connected to the cover in an axially force-transmitting manner and a second free end inserted into the first oil discharge duct when the cover fully threadedly engaged to the open end of said housing to sealingly close the first discharge duct, and is withdrawn from the discharge duct when the cover is removed from the open end of the housing to enable discharging of oil from the housing via the first oil discharge duct.

Abstract: A filter for cleaning lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine has a filter housing with an access opening on an upper side to insert and remove filter elements. A cover is arranged to close the access opening. The housing has an inlet opening for dirty fluid and an outlet opening for clean fluid. Furthermore, a drain opening is provided in the housing which can be opened and closed with a closure element. The closure element is operationally coupled to the cover such that when the cover is closed, the closure element closes the drain opening, and when the cover is opened, the closure element opens the drain opening, allowing the fluid to drain out of the housing.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly is provided, comprising, a cylindrical housing having external threads adjacent its open end; a top plate assembly having internal threads and indexing means for preventing rotation of the top plate with respect to a filter mounting base after the filter is positioned; a top plate attachment member having a fluid exit port extending through it and internal threads for threading onto corresponding external threads on the filter mounting base; and a replaceable filter element. A sealing ring in an annular channel adjacent the external threads of the housing seals the filter assembly when the housing is threaded into the top plate. The top plate attachment member secures the top plate assembly to the filter mounting base and also seals against the open end of the filter element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide enhanced solids-contacting vessel performance in a vessel in which untreated liquid is injected into a lower portion of the vessel so as to flow in a substantially helical and upward direct to separate the solids from the liquid in a suspended, rotating sludge blanket. The vessel is equipped with an adjustable weir extending substantially radially form the vessel center to its peripheral wall for withdrawing effluent from the vessel from a variety of locations depending upon the flow velocity characteristics of the liquid in the vessel.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a filter for purifying water, and a tank for storing purified water. The tank includes a discharge hole for discharging excess water disposed above a certain level in the tank. A conduit structure communicates with the discharge hole for conducting the discharged excess water. The conduit structure includes vertical interruptions for preventing a backflowing of the discharged water back into the tank.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly is provided, comprising, a cylindrical housing having external threads adjacent its open end; a top plate assembly having internal threads; a hollow central core having a plurality of fluid outlet perforations extending through it, and internal threads for threading onto corresponding external threads on a filter mounting base; and a replaceable coreless filter element. A sealing ring in an annular channel adjacent the external threads of the housing seals the filter assembly when the housing is threaded into the top plate. The hollow central core secures the top plate assembly to the filter mounting base and also seals against the open end of the coreless filter element.

Abstract: The screen comprises a set of spaced parallel grating bars set at an inclination of about 35 degrees. The grating bars retain solids carried by the water flowing between the bars. These solids are automatically pushed down the bars and away into a collecting trough transverse to the bars by water streams flowing within longitudinal grooves formed from the top of the bars. The cross-sectional area of each groove decreases from the upper end to the lower end of the bar, so that the water accelerating down the bar grooves will constantly fill the same.

Abstract: A multistage treatment system for treating nutrient-rich water containing nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, and other minerals. Three or more vessels or stages typically constitute the multistage treatment system. Each stage of the system is a reaction vessel having a first zone containing a substantially insoluble salt for precipitating phosphorous compounds and other minerals, a second zone containing a microorganism retained on an inert substrate for converting nitrogen compounds, and a separation device for removing precipitates from the water. The effluent from the multistage system may be further treated in ponds cultivated with aquatic grass or in a packaged algae filter having a medium for supporting algae growth and an artificial light source.

Abstract: A method and device for removing waste oil from a cartridge-type oil filter with the filter including a plurality of openings formed therein in a predetermined pattern and an oil retention gasket disposed within the filter. The device includes an elongate body portion formed of resilient, bendable material defining a longitudinally extending central body formed with a predetermined lengthwise dimension sufficient to span a distance between two of the openings and two end portions formed integrally with the central body and projecting oppositely outwardly therefrom with the end portions being sized to fit within the openings and being of a sufficient lengthwise dimension to engage and displace at least a portion of the gasket to allow waste oil to be poured or otherwise drained from the filter cartridge.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is an end of the line sewage filter which comprises a metal framing that supports stainless steel walls, ceiling and floor and is built on and attached to a concrete platform. There is an oil filter mat which is placed on the floor of the structure to absorb some of the oil present in the sewage water. Holes in the floor of the device which align with holes in the concrete platform allow only the water and no trash or debris to exit the filter unit. Additionally, the filter unit is fitted with a door for easy access to the inside of the unit for cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a filter system of a swimming pool in proportion to the degree of contamination of the water in said pool by processing a signal representative of the number of persons within the pool and other values characteristic of the pool and the filter system to derive a signal for controlling the output of said filter system.

Abstract: An adapter assembly to assist in the removal of an oil filter without spilling oil. The assembly includes a drain cup adapter for permanent affixing to the oil filter stud which extends from an engine block. The drain cup adapter has an inner face with openings for passage of oil and a central threaded opening permitting it to be permanently screwed onto the oil filter stud. An external ring is used for removably attaching a bag holding member. The bag holding member has a flexible bag through which the oil filter can be contacted and which holds the oil and the filter after the filter has been removed. After all the oil has drained out of the engine block, the bag holding member is removed and a new filter screwed onto the oil filter stud.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use with liquids or gases which includes a back structure having a plurality of pockets formed in it and filtration granules contained within the channels. Each of the pockets includes a plurality of holes to enable water to pass through the back structure. A filter element is secured to the front of the back structure to cover the pockets. Positioned between the pockets are protruding shelves which engage the filter element. The provision of the pockets and shelves enables a uniform distribution of filtration granules to be maintained throughout the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A self-venting valve having its principal parts molded of nylon reinforced with glass fibers is mounted in the bottom of a fuel filter assembly to drain water and other contaminants from the assembly. The self-venting valve includes a plunger portion with a bore therethrough for draining water from the fuel filter assembly and a valve body member which receives the plunger. The valve body member has a vent hole therein which communicates with the interior of the housing to let air into the housing so that as the water drains from the housing a partial vacuum is not created which might interrupt the flow of water. The plunger is biased to the valve closed position by a coil spring, however the valve may be held in the open position by misaligning lugs on the plunger with slots in the valve body member.

Abstract: A device for separating contaminants out of the lube oil of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a filter element, a centrifuge rotatable by means of the lube oil flowing through it, and at least one supply passage for lube oil to be cleaned and at least one drain passage for the cleaned oil. The filter element and the centrifuge are arranged in a common, closable housing with at least one of the filter element and the centrifuge being removable from the housing when the housing is open. The filter element and the centrifuge are arranged in the housing in vertical alignment and a single cover covers the common housing.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and process for filtering cooking oil of the type used in deep fat fryers such as are used in restaurants and bakeries. Full cooking temperature oil from the fryer vat is forcefully moved by a motorized pump through a canister holding a sintered metal filter which is preferably made of fused Stainless steel granules and which will filter-out solid particles down to about 0.5 microns in dimension from the oil. The hot oil passes through the filter before the filtered hot oil is returned to the fryer vat through a hand held flexible dispensing hose. The canister includes an openable lid to allow repeated removal, washing and re-installation of the highly durable and reuseable sintered stainless steel filter. One preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention is a portable unit mounted on wheels so it can be rolled from one fryer to another fryer and then to an out of the way storage area.

Abstract: A device for fat removal from cooked meat product that employs a draining apparatus in a cooking vessel or container. The draining apparatus includes a draining slot array, a draining box, a draining tube and a controller element. Fat and excess liquids, which are liberated during cooking, are drained out of the container through the draining slots, and into the draining box and draining tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self service water dispensing apparatus especially adapted to be located inside a grocery store. This apparatus includes a housing which provides a rigid support structure having a base section which has integral therewith a water storage tank, and an upper section immediately above the base section which includes a plurality of water filling stations. The upper section and base section are joined together and are contiguous with each other along a common generally horizontal plane located about waist high to a typical adult user. This provides a compact and convenient to use structure. The water filling stations each comprise a recessed cubicle having a top wall with a delivery spout therein, an open front side into which a water bottle is placed beneath the spout for filling, and a floor including a drain. Manually operable control switches are at each vending station.

Abstract: A refrigerant recycling system (10) has a compressor (12) and identical first and second drier/separators (18, 20). Refrigerant material to be reclaimed is drawn into an inlet (22) of the first drier/separator, in which lubricant is separated from refrigerant vapor. After the lubricant is removed, the refrigerant vapor is filtered as it passes through a screen (80), a bed of molecular sieve material (82), and a fibrous pad (84). After passing through the first drier/separator, the refrigerant enters the compressor in which clean lubricant material is introduced to enable the compressor to operate effectively. From the compressor, the refrigerant vapor and clean lubricant passes through the second drier/separator wherein the clean lubricant is removed and the refrigerant vapor is again filtered. The twice filtered vapor is then passed to a condenser (44) in which it is condensed to a liquid. The clean refrigerant liquid is delivered from the reclamation system cleansed of impurities.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an aquarium waterfall assembly which may be placed on top of a single aquarium tank and used to move water from the tank, over a decorative waterfall and back to the tank. If desired, the aquarium water also may be filtered using the assembly. The invention also is directed to an aquarium and waterfall system, a decorative cover for an aquarium water heater and a method of transporting water in an aquarium system.

Abstract: A fluid filter which comprises a canister having an open end and a closed end, the canister sealing to an adapter body to prevent leakage between the canister and the adapter body, the adapter body having a plurality of angled fluid inlet ports extending through the adapter assembly body into the cavity formed by the canister and the adapter body assembly, a threaded fluid outlet port extending through the adapter body, a threaded ring adapter for adapting the outlet port to a variety of filter receptacles, a multistage wire mesh filter element having a weave which is designed to prevent fluid contaminants from passing through the filter element while inhibiting the contaminant particles from becoming lodged in the filter mesh, the fluid inlet ports in the adapter body being formed at an angle to create a tornado type turbine fluid motion within the canister to suspend contaminants which are blocked from passage through the screen in the fluid and allow such contaminants to settle in the canister out of the f

Abstract: A water purifier includes a plurality of filter members, and a water storage tank disposed horizontally adjacent the filter members. The filter members and water storage tank are disposed in a housing, and a base plate is disposed below the housing to form a space which extends beneath the water storage tank and the filter members. An electric pump, electric transformer, and circuit board are disposed in a first section of the space which is disposed beneath the water storage tank. To shield those electric elements from leaking water, a first wall projects downwardly into the space, and a second wall projects upwardly into the space. The walls separate the first section of the space from a second section of the space which is disposed beneath the filtering members. The first wall isolates downwardly dripping water from accessing the first section, and the second wall prevents sitting water on the base plate from accessing the first section.

Abstract: A fluid container draining device for draining fluid from a fluid container, such as an oil filter, in a controlled manner. It has a front threaded screw with a sharpened drill tip. It has an internal channel communicating between an opening at the forward end of the screw and a rear region of the threaded screw. A fluid valve is positioned at the rear region of the screw in fluid connection with the channel. The fluid valve provides fluid flow control between the interior of the fluid container and the outside of the fluid container. The fluid valve has an internally threaded front region which screws into the externally threaded rear region of the screw, and an externally threaded rear region, onto which a fluid evacuation line is to be attached. A turning portion for turning the device into the wall of the container is located on the device.

Abstract: The separator includes an all sheet metal shell having a bottom to which is secured a metal adaptor plate enabling a drain valve and a water detector to be attached to the bottom of the shell.

Abstract: A hydraulic distribution and control unit has a chamber with an inlet (1a) and at least two subchambers. A partition wall (5) separates the subchambers one from another. One edge of the partition wall crosses the inlet to the main chamber, dividing the inlet into layers at different levels. The uppermost subchamber has an overfall edge (4a) and the lowermost subchamber includes an underflow (8).

Abstract: In a liquid filter comprising a filter housing having at least one liquid intake channel and at least one liquid return channel passing through a face wall of the filter housing that faces toward a filter connecting flange to which said filter housing is to be mounted, a releasable cover that closes the filter housing liquid-tight, an individually replaceable filter insert that can removed from the filter housing, and the improvement of a hollow fastening screw forming an axial liquid channel in communication with the liquid return channel and that can be rotated relative to the filter housing, the screw being centrally arranged in the face wall of the filter housing and serving to securely mount the filter housing to the filter connecting flange. Check valves can optionally be provided in the intake channel and in the hollow screw to prevent unwanted flow of liquid through the filter housing, particularly when changing the filter insert.

Abstract: An arrangement for the separation of pollutants and, as the case may be, bulky solids, i.e. coarse matter, in separating structures, such as rainwater relief structures for the protection of bodies of water. The rainwater or combined water exceeding a critical combined water outflow is diverted to another part of a sewer system or to a channel leading to a receiving body of water by flowing over a relief weir, and being freed of coarse matter by means of an interceptor prior to its overflow into the channel. The interceptor (20) is fashioned of a plurality of bar elements (21) arranged with preferably equidistant mutual spacing on the overflow side of the relief weir (20), and a separate pollutant channel (22) receives the coarse matter retained by the interceptor (20).

Abstract: A liquid filter includes an openable filter housing. The liquid filter has an unfiltered-liquid inlet and a clean-liquid outlet. A first filter element is arranged in the filter housing. The first filter element has an essentially hollow-cylindrical design, with the liquid flow travelling through it from the outside to the inside. An additional hollow-cylindrical filter element is arranged inside of the first filter element, wherein the liquid flow is also from the outside to the inside through the additional filter element. A separating wall is disposed between the two filter elements. The entire filter has a compact construction with a large effective filter area.

Abstract: A variable residence time treatment system for liquid has a reactor vessel with variable effective holding volume. Liquid is admitted with at least one treatment material to adjust a property of the liquid, such as its pH, a discharge outlet is open full time during operation of the system to pass discharge flow from the reactor tank at its full holding volume. Treated liquid can be selectively discharged when the reactor vessel is less than full. Thus, the effective resident time of liquid in the reactor vessel is controlled by controlling the effective holding volume of the reactor tank in response to a holding volume control signal. A sensor monitors a property of the liquid and generates a corresponding input signal. A controller generates the control signal in response to the input signal.

Abstract: An oil filter has a cap screwed to the approximately upright arranged filter housing of the oil filter for the cleaning of lubricating oil, with a ring-shaped filter insert being detachably fastened on the cap and separating the outer inflow space from the inner flow-off space. In the lower zone of the filter housing, provision is made for a valve-like acting member, which is automatically opened with each change of the filter insert and serves for discharging oil that remained in the filter housing into an oil-collecting space via a discharge duct. A center bar is rotatably connected with the cap. The center bar is axially displaceable in a limited way and has in its zone close to the cap a piston-like flange, which is sealed against the filter insert and separates the inflow space from the flow-off space. The center bar has, in its lower end zone, the valve-like acting member cooperating with the discharge duct.

Abstract: A compact sludge dehydrating apparatus having a replaceable upper part, with a lower part, a replaceable upper part having a sludge inlet, a plurality of columns for detachably mounting the upper part to the lower part with a space, a first sludge dehydrator for performing a first dehydration of the sludge waste and being provided in the upper part, a second sludge dehydrator for performing a second dehydration of the sludge waste and being mounted on the lower part. This second dehydrator communicates with the first dehydrator through a pipe. The first and the second cases are interconnected. A plurality of drains is provided to drain the waste waters extruded from the sludge waste as a result of sludge dehydration to a water collection tank of the lower part. The apparatus provides, for the upper part being replaceable for different kinds of the wastes to be treated, which reduces the moisture content of the resulting sludge waste.

Abstract: A wet/dry filter system that is mounted on the top of an aquarium allows flexible flow control to and between the wet section and the dry section.

Abstract: A filter and associated valve are provided which are particularly useful for the purification of oil or fuel in an internal combustion engine. The filter includes a preassembled valve unit having a sealing member, an activating member and an interposed spring element formed without a housing. The sealing member and activating member penetrate each other along a part of their axial length, guiding each other and being displaceable relative to each other in an axial direction. The relative axial displaceability is limited by a stopper provided at the activating member and/or the sealing member. The preassembled valve unit is guided axially moveable in a drain conduit of the filter after insertion of the valve unit into the conduit.

Abstract: A fluid recapture system collects residual waste fluids generated during airplane washing or de-icing procedures and separates and recycles these fluids to prevent contamination of storm water drainage and sewer systems and ground water supplies. The fluid recapture system includes a containment mat, a triangular berm with a resilient foam center surrounding the containment mat, a vacuum system located on the containment mat and recycling apparatus connected to the vacuum system. The recycling apparatus includes a pump for withdrawing fluid from the containment mat through the vacuum system and into the recycling apparatus. The pump withdraws the water from the containment mat and sends it to an effluent storage tank. From the effluent storage tank, the water is cycled through a hydro cycle machine, a reverse osmosis tank and finally into a clean water storage tank. The clean water can be reused in the airplane washing procedure.

Abstract: A multistage treatment system for treating nutrient-rich water containing nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, and other minerals. Three or more vessels or stages typically constitute the multistage treatment system. Each stage of the system is a reaction vessel having a first zone containing a substantially insoluble salt for precipitating phosphorous compounds and other minerals, a second zone containing a microorganism retained on an inert substrate for converting nitrogen compounds, and a separation device for removing precipitates from the water. The effluent from the multistage system may be further treated in ponds cultivated with aquatic grass.

Abstract: An oil recycling system and method which uses the same container to supply new oil and recycle old oil is accomplished through the use of a transfer tube designed for draining oil from the container into an engine and mutually exclusively oil from the engine oil sump into the container. The invention includes an oil collection bag which receives oil draining from an interface between the engine and an oil filter and transfers the oil via an oil collection bag tube into the container concurrently with oil draining from the engine via the transfer tube into the container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for both holding a filter element and deflecting and draining filter effluent, which may be adapted to utilize one or more disposable filter cartridges. The device can be used in systems for performing analytical tests which include a filtration step, and is particularly useful in systems for measuring the fouling potential of water containing particulates.

Abstract: A floating media biofilter is provided, comprising a tank having a bottom and a sidewall, the sidewall having a lower portion inwardly sloping toward the bottom. Floating media are present in the tank for forming a media pack when the tank is filled with liquid, and the media are retained by an upper screen positioned in the upper portion of the tank. An inlet line provides nonfiltered liquid to the tank from an aquaculture environment, while an outlet line above the upper screen delivers filtered liquid back to the aquaculture environment. A weir is employed between the upper screen and the outlet line to collect filtered liquid from the media pack. Backwashing is accomplished by a motorized blade system which causes the media to circulate within the tank with substantially no expansion of the media pack. The circulating media loosens filtered matter and sludge entrained therein so that the waste solids can be removed by a sludge line connected to the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: An aqueous emulsion accumulating and breaking system for an offshore drilling or hydrocarbon producing platform, located at an offshore operating site. The system is comprised of a primary emulsion separator, which receives untreated aqueous emulsion and includes a hydrocarbon component, and further includes an emulsion accumulating system of conductors which collect rainwater and discharge it into the separator or to a secondary accumulating tank. A control system in the emulsion separator includes a liquid level monitor, which activates a flow regulating valve at the separator inlet to adjust the influx of the aqueous emulsion as a function of the emulsion level within the separator.

Abstract: A system is described for use in an auto maintenance shop which receives oil from the changing of vehicle oil and oil filters, to recycle the oil. The system includes an apparatus (10) that has a tank reservoir (12) for receiving contaminated oil. The apparatus also includes equipment mounted on the housing, comprising a centrifuge (24), a pump device (26), a valve (34), and a porous filter device (40). In a first mode of operation, the pump draws oil from the reservoir to flow through an input tube (36) into the centrifuge, and then to an output tube (38) to flow back to the reservoir. The centrifuge is operated long enough so the amount of oil flowing through it is at least ten times the amount of oil in the reservoir. The valve is then switched to a second mode wherein fluid from the input tube is directed through the pump to the porous filter device, for final cleaning of the oil before returning it to the reservoir.

Abstract: An automatic fluid flow control valve and strainer device which provides a constant flow rate of strained fluid despite varying differential pressures and employs a combination of a unitary body with an integrated, removable strainer assembly and a removable flow control valve assembly. The body is essentially in the shape of a "Y" and provides a compact valve with minimum threaded joints and access to the various components thereof with minimum disassembly. The removable strainer assembly is configured and arranged in a manner so that fluid flows from the outside to the inside of a cup-shaped strainer, allowing easier use and cleaning.

Abstract: A trough type strainer apparatus comprising a housing with bottom and side walls defining an interior chamber, an inlet trough assembly and an outlet conduit connected to said side walls and communicating with said chamber. A support structure is mounted inside the housing secured to at least one wall and a perforated strainer basket provided with a mounting flange on its upper edge allows the strainer basket to be seated on the support structure within the housing. The perforated strainer basket has an angled perforated baffle panel which extends upward past the outlet conduit when the basket is seated within the housing.