Backwash Or Blowback Patents (Class 210/411)
  • Patent number: 6517722
    Abstract: A self-cleaning fuel oil strainer, coupled to a continuous fuel flow, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire fuel oil filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of fuel oil into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of fuel oil then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6508933
    Abstract: A strainer for immersion in liquid, especially shallow water, to prevent debris from entering a pump connected by a suction pipe to the interior of the strainer. The strainer has a cylindrical housing that is closed at the bottom and covered by a circular screen at the top. As the pump sucks water, the screen prevents debris from being sucked into the strainer interior along with the water. Debris drawn against the screen's exterior is dislodged by a rotating spray arm that contains nozzles and is disposed within the strainer interior to spray water against the screen. The water is fed under pressure to the spray arm through a separate supply line tapped into the pump's outlet. The spray arm nozzles are aimed to direct water generally upward through the screen to dislodge the debris and to cause the spray arm to rotate. Hence, as the spray arm spins, the water washes substantially the full face of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Perfection Sprinkler Co.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Wilkins, Charles A. Wilkins, James O. Stoneburner
  • Patent number: 6508934
    Abstract: A filter cartridge (20) for removing particulates from a particulate laden fluid stream moving one direction through the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge (20) is periodically subject to cleaning fluid moving in an opposite direction to the fluid stream. The filter cartridge (20) comprises filtration media (24) formed into a tubular configuration and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pleats (26). A retention device (82) to limit radial movement of the filtration media (24) when subjected to the periodical cleaning fluid and to maintain the pleats (26) in the filtration media circumferentially spaced apart. A method of making a filter cartridge (20) for removing particulates from a fluid stream moving one direction through the filter cartridge and that is periodically subject to cleaning fluid moving in an opposite direction to the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall David Van Pelt, Charles Grant Carothers
  • Publication number: 20030010694
    Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient way to filter water in a body of water. The invention combines an encloseable container with an internal pump producing cyclonic action, with two different types of filters. One type of filtering consists of layers of varied porosity, one layer filtering only very fine debris, while the other layers blocking progressively large debris. The other type of filtering involves stacked discs placed to aid in further filtering of the water in the chamber of the cylinder. Water flows around the bottom disc, through holes in the second disc, and around the third disc before approaching the stacked filters of varied porosity. An internal ultra-violet light helps control algae in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew J. Holt
  • Publication number: 20030010699
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprising a container that houses a filtration tank to which contaminated water is supplied, a cleansing tank, and a screw conveyor disposed within said cleansing tank is provided. Filtration media is housed within the cleansing tank and the container. The cleansing tank has lateral surface openings, lower openings, and an upper opening. When the screw conveyor rotates, filtration media as well as water (contaminated water) is conveyed upward from the lower openings to the upper opening while being agitated. At the same time, filtration media circulates between the cleansing tank and the container and is cleansed When cleansing is complete, a backwash water supply pump backwashes water, and expels contaminants separated and removed from the filtration media out of the container by an expulsion pump. Lateral surface doors close lateral surface openings by drive means only during cleansing (agitation) This structure increases the filtration area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Saito
  • Patent number: 6500344
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for filtering particles out of a liquid, in which the liquid containing particles is supplied to a sedimentation tank (12), and the liquid is made, by means of hydrostatic liquid pressure prevailing in the tank, to flow through a filter member (18) on the shell surface of a drum (14) mounted in the tank (12). When the liquid in the tank has risen to a predetermined level above the drum (14) as a result of clogging of the filter member (18), cleaning of the filter member (18) in situ in the tank is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Hyosong Lee, Lars Ehnstrom
  • Patent number: 6500347
    Abstract: A process for recovering crystals from a slurry which comprises supplying a slurry comprising crystals and a solvent to a rotary vacuum filter and successively conducting filtration under suction, washing, filtration under suction and cleavage of a cake continuously by rotation of a cylindrical filter medium, wherein a vapor having a same composition as that of the solvent is supplied as a blowing gas for cleaving the cake. The crystals can be continuously recovered for a long period of time without clogging of a filter medium when the crystals are recovered from a slurry by using a rotary vacuum filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignees: Mitsubishi GAs Chemical Company, Inc., Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha, Mizushima Aroma Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Ohkoshi, Masato Inari
  • Patent number: 6500339
    Abstract: The invention provides a filtration apparatus for filtering and regenerating a machining fluid. The filtration apparatus includes a dirty tank for receiving the machining fluid and a clean tank fluidly connected to the dirty tank. A filter is provided between the dirty and the clean tanks for filtering the machining fluid which flows from the dirty tank into the clean tank. A conveyer mechanism is provided in the dirty tank for conveying the sediment of particles separated from the machining fluid in the dirty tank. A filter cleaning device are provided for cleaning the filter. The filter cleaning device includes a nozzle bar which is provided in the clean tank for rotation within a plane parallel to the filter means. The nozzle bar directs the machining fluid in the clean tank onto the filter means to blow the particles off the filter means into the dirty tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 6488842
    Abstract: A filtering device includes a container having an inlet for introducing liquid to be treated, an annular multi-layered prepacked screen assembly provided in the container and having an outlet for treated liquid. The screen assembly includes three or more cylindrical screens having different diameters and being coexially disposed in the container with their axes extending vertically in the container. An annulus is formed between the respective cylindrical screens. Two or more different filter materials performing different filtering functions are filled one in each of the annuluses between the cylindrical screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6475397
    Abstract: A back-flushing method is practiced with a back-flushing filter construction wherein a perforate filter screen providing filter openings also forms an internal chamber for receiving the effluent from a liquid stream. A filter piston is disposed in the internal chamber and operates to divide the chamber into first and second zones on opposite sides of the piston. By selectively reciprocating the piston, the effluent in the chamber is compressed and moved on both sides of the piston. Thus, the effluent back-flushes the filter openings and creates a rolling action in the liquid surrounding the filter screen on the upstream side to dislodge particulate debris accumulated on the filter screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mepsco, Inc.
    Inventor: Tommy Sanderson
  • Publication number: 20020139738
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus having a vessel and a filter made from fluororesin and treated before filtering operation by at least one of adding thermal treatment in gas or liquid and penetrating with fluid composed of hot water or steam at a temperature of less than melting point of the fluororesin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Makoto Fujie, Hideki Nakamura, Kazuya Yamada, Shuji Seki, Manabu Sakurai, Tadashi Fukushima, Kenichiro Ide, Tetsuya Noda, Masaru Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 6439273
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning candles in a candle filter using a cleaning fluid that flows inside the candle from the side of the filtrate, whereby said fluid is pressed in an opposite direction to the direction of the filtrate from the inside to the outside, through said candles, by a gaseous medium subjected to an overpressure. Water is or can be used as an appropriate cleaning fluid and air is used as a gaseous medium. The prior art teaches nozzle-shaped contractions that are respectively disposed on the outlet end of the candles or deflectors arranged inside the candle at a distance from said contractions, whereby the in-flowing cleaning fluid is deflected towards all sides in the direction of the inner walls of the candles, are provided for distribution of said cleaning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventors: Roland Krüger, Markus Kolczyk, Rainer Kuhnt, Dietmar Oechsle
  • Patent number: 6428690
    Abstract: A filtering system with an improved backwashing capability includes influent and effluent means, and uses plastic beads as the filtering medium. The system further includes a plurality of backwash jets that eject water under pressure at angles such that the force of the water contacting the filter beads breaks apart the beads. Separating the filter beads allows the backwash operation to provide a far more thorough cleaning of the filter tank. This leads to improved performance of the filter and extended life of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Tom Tse
  • Patent number: 6422395
    Abstract: A filter is composed of filter media having the following characteristics in combination: a) the filter media has a greater affinity for the filtered fluid than for contaminants in the fluid, and wherein the work of adhesion between the filter media and the contaminants is less than the work of adhesion between the filter media and fluid, and wherein the filter media is preferentially wetted by the fluid relative to the contaminants; b) the filter media is composed of fibers having a defined surface area ratio facilitating fewer attachment sites for contaminants, and, in the case of cleanable reusable filters, facilitating cleansing backwash of the cleanable reusable filter by cleansing fluid along a reverse flow backflush path; c) the filter media has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.075 inch, 0.7 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, Brian W. Schwandt, Daniel R. Cady, Gene A. Mullins, W. Lee Currier
  • Patent number: 6419826
    Abstract: Improved self-cleaning filter, comprised of a casing (1) with an entry (2) for water towards an encircling chamber (5), a filtering element based on a plurality of grooved disks (10), an axial passage (14) in the breast of these disks and an axial exit (9) for clean water. The filtering element (10) is completed in its lower end by a flap (11) that closes the axial passage (14) in the backward movement of water during cleaning, forcing it to go through side collectors (15) unaffected by the flap (11) and in which established are windows (16) for the exit of water, obliquely oriented in a side direction to make the disks (10) rotate during cleaning, also oblique in a vertical direction to take advantage of the separation between the disks (10) and distributed helically (15), the support tower (6) of these disks completed in a retractile rammer (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Wind, S.L.
    Inventors: Manuel Garcia Lara, Juan Mesado Terrones, Diego García de Dionisio Contreras
  • Publication number: 20020079267
    Abstract: A process for removing BOD and suspended solids from wastewater without passing through a primary clarifier or secondary aeration tank, the process. During the process, raw sewage wastewater, comprising soluble BOD, insoluble BOD and suspended solids, is piped directly to a deep bed granular filter. The bed depths of deep bed filter are within a range of approximately 2.0 ft to approximately 10.0 ft. The raw sewage wastewater is filtered by filtration through the deep bed filter in which the filter media is a granular media with a size range between approximately 2.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Backwashing the deep bed filter occurs at least once every 48 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: E. Stuart Savage, David C. Slack
  • Publication number: 20020074279
    Abstract: A filter cartridge (20) for removing particulates from a particulate laden fluid stream moving one direction through the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge (20) is periodically subject to cleaning fluid moving in an opposite direction to the fluid stream. The filter cartridge (20) comprises filtration media (24) formed into a tubular configuration and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pleats (26). A retention device (82) to limit radial movement of the filtration media (24) when subjected to the periodical cleaning fluid and to maintain the pleats (26) in the filtration media circumferentially spaced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall David Van Pelt, Charles Grant Carothers
  • Publication number: 20020070160
    Abstract: A filter element with a cylindrical structure having a filter medium 11 mounted to a support element 10. The filter medium 11 is fastened to the support element 10 in such a way that no relative movement between these components is possible. This creates a heavy-duty assembly between filter medium and support element and increases filter life. It is thus possible for the filter to withstand a pulsating load, e.g., caused by backwashing of the filter medium, without risk of destroying the sensitive filter medium due to vibrations or any relative movement between the support element and the filter medium. This assembly may be produced by mounting the filter medium under tension to the support element and by fixing it with a reinforcement strip 12. The use of valves with switching times of less than 0.4 seconds makes it possible to achieve extremely short backwash pulses to clean the filter without risk of failure of the filter medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Gohle, Andre Roesgen, Christian Thalmann, Holger Stahl, Ralf Poh
  • Patent number: 6402962
    Abstract: A self-cleaning filter with a bypass port is provided for a washing machine that recirculates water back to the wash tub. The filter includes a housing with a filter element disposed therein. The filter element normally filters lint and other material from the water drained from the wash tub, with the water then being recirculated back to the wash tub. When the filter element becomes clogged, the water automatically flows through a bypass port in the filter, such that recirculation continues. The filter element is automatically cleaned by back-washing the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan S. Bruntz, Curtis J. Tremel, Eric J. Miller
  • Patent number: 6402949
    Abstract: A portable water filtration system with two water reservoirs and a filter capable of meeting the drinking and cooking water needs of a family or small group of people. The portable water filtration system is also capable of back flushing the filter, thus increasing the filter life and efficiency of the filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Jed Ben Banks
  • Patent number: 6398037
    Abstract: A liquid filtering device having a pack of cylindrical filter member discs (70) with an arrangement for reversed, filter flushing flow cycles. An integrally formed filter core (24) is provided comprising tubular nozzled conduits (30a, 30b, 30c) so that water under pressure within the conduits becomes discharged in jet forms to enable free rotation of the filter discs. One-way valve (90) in the form of a funnel shaped rubber sleeve allows the flow of filtered water to the outlet port (20) but impedes the flow of flushing water from the outlet port through the filter member (70) in the direction of the inlet port (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: “AR-KAL” Plastics Products
    Inventors: Yiftach Sadan, Raanan Ben-Horin
  • Publication number: 20020060193
    Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element allowing back wash reverse filtration at 0.05 MPa to 0.3 MPa is employed for a spiral wound membrane module. Air injection of injecting air of not more than 0.3 MPa into a permeate outlet of the spiral wound membrane module from a pressurized air feeder through a pipe, back wash reverse filtration with permeate and flushing with raw water are performed as recovery of a filtration velocity. Another spiral wound membrane module comprises a spiral wound membrane element including a separation membrane having high back pressure strength. Raw water into which bubbles are diffused by an air diffuser is fed to the spiral wound membrane element stored in a pressure vessel. Part of the raw water is axially fed through the spiral wound membrane element, discharged from a raw water outlet of the pressure vessel and thereafter returned to a raw water tank through a pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Ando, Katsumi Ishii, Satoru Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6378706
    Abstract: A filter housing (14) has a first inlet (16) for receiving a first fluid such as oil from a machine such as an internal combustion engine (12), a first outlet (20) returning the first fluid to the machine, a second inlet (24) selectively receiving a second fluid from a source of cleaning fluid (28), and a second outlet (30) exhausting the second fluid. The filter housing has a first flow path therethrough from the first inlet through a filter element (40) in one direction to the first outlet, and a second flow path therethrough from the second inlet then through the filter element in the opposite direction then to the second outlet. The first and second inlets and the first and second outlets are all provided at the same axial end of the housing, for modularity. First and second common flow channels (58 and 68) in the housing each carry the first and second fluids in opposite directions. First and second valves (84 and 86) in the housing enable switching between filtration and cleaning modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, Brian W. Schwandt, Daniel R. Cady
  • Patent number: 6376255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for analyzing the amount of chemical substrates in a liquid, more particularly in a clarified solution or a process water. The apparatus comprises a separate filtration housing in which a filter medium is arranged for arresting the filtrate supplied to an analyzer. Provided in the filtration housing is a gas supply means by means of which the filter medium is charged or flushed with a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: WTW Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstaetten GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Schwab, Raimund Essel, Albert Saeuble, Rudolf Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6368513
    Abstract: An assembly for automatically and continuously purifying a polluted fluid P includes a main separator 1, a secondary separator 2 having a centrifuge 21 and filter 22 therein, and a backwashing device 11. In operation, the backwashing device returns a fraction of purified fluid E1 to backwash the main separator. The resulting backwashing fluid F is then delivered to the secondary separator via a multi-port valve V where the backwashing fluid is centrifuged and/or filtered to remove impurities therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Moatti SNC
    Inventors: Théophile Christophe, Jean-Claude Moatti
  • Publication number: 20020038781
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a laundry waste sump, a primary 50 micron static screen filter, a 9,000 gallon equalization tank, at least one secondary media/carbon filter, a sludge holding tank with a pump to return excess water to the equalization tank, a backwash pump, an air blower, and a clear well tank water source for backwash. An exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a surge tank between the primary and secondary filters and a surge tank between the secondary filter and the clear well tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: James P. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 6365054
    Abstract: A method of operating a plant for filling containers by moving a liquid such as water through an apparatus with at least one portion for receiving the liquid before it is filtered and at least one portion for receiving the liquid after it is filtered, so that the liquid moves from at least an upper area of apparatus to lower area of the apparatus to be transferred to bottles or other containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventors: Roland Krüger, Markus Kolczyk, Rainer Kuhnt, Dietmar Oechsle
  • Patent number: 6360896
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for cleaning liquid fluids, in particular for the cooling water running to a heat exchanger, having a portion of pipe of circular cross section as a housing, a screening body and a suction device, which can be moved about an axis, on the inflow side for regional suction removal and consequently for cleaning the screening body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Taprogge GmbH, a German limited liability company
    Inventor: Hans Werner Schildmann
  • Patent number: 6358406
    Abstract: A vacuum filter includes a cylindrical filter drum 12 having both a perforate section 14 and an imperforate section 16. The drum is positioned in a tank 20 so that the imperforate section is oriented upwardly therein. A level controller is provided to maintain the level of contaminated fluid below the top of the imperforate section but above the perforate section. A filter belt 54 wrapped around the filter drum is repositioned by rotating the drum when the differential pressure between the interior and exterior of the drum reaches a predetermined value. The inlet ends 35 of the suction pipes 34 are continuously positioned at the lowest point of the drum so that the pump does not lose suction when the drum is rotated thereby facilitating continuous filtration of the contaminated fluid through the vacuum filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Publication number: 20020030006
    Abstract: A tubular filter element has a filtering material extending over a whole length and having in its interior a hollow chamber so that during a filtering operation the filtering material is loaded from outside with a medium to be filtered which passes through the filtering material from outside inwardly to the hollow chamber, a back wash aid arranged in the hollow chamber, a coaxial inner tube located in the hollow chamber of the filtering material and arranged at least at some locations with a distance from the filtering material so as to form at least one intermediate chamber, the inner tube having a tubular wall and being provided at least substantially in a lower longitudinal region with throughgoing passages extending through the tube wall and formed so that, for back washing of the filtering material a back washing medium is supplied opposite to a filtering operation on the one hand into an interior of the inner tube and through the throughgoing passages and on the other hand also into the at least one int
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Walter O. Beck
  • Patent number: 6355167
    Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention for filtering contaminated liquids, such as cooling and/or lubricating liquids which are employed during the machining of workpieces with metal removal for example, has a liquid container (11) with an inlet (13) for contaminated liquid and an outflow (15) for filtered liquid, and a filtering insert which can be connected to the outflow is disposed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: MSG Maschinen-und Stahlbau GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Wensauer
  • Patent number: 6352645
    Abstract: A system (20) is presented for extraction of debris (22) from a tank (24) of potentially radioactive water (26) in a nuclear-powered energy-generation facility. The system (20) utilizes a subaqueous reversible motor (28), a subaqueous pump (30) magnetically coupled to the motor (28), and a subaqueous filter housing (50) removably coupled to the pump (30). A filter (52) having a metallic filter element (56) is incorporated into the filter housing (50). A control unit (34) is electrically coupled to the motor (28) and determines a rotational direction thereof from outside the tank (24). When the motor (28) is run in a forward rotational direction, the pump (30) produces a forward flow (36′) of water (26), substantially all of which passes through the filter (52) so that debris (22) in the water (26) is entrapped in the filter (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Troy Arnett Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20020020681
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering a liquid. The filtering is conducted using one or several filter elements in the filter housing, the operation being based on the alternation of filtering stages and air flushing stages. According to the invention, upon transferring from the flushing stage to the filtering stage, the filter housing is filled with liquid so that the liquid pushes the flushing air in the housing from the upper end of the housing into a separate air container so that air is compressed to a higher pressure in the container. During the filtering stage, air remains in the container, and after the filtering stage, air compressed in the container is allowed to push liquid out of the filter housing with its pressure. Further, the connection between the air container and the filter housing can be arranged so that air compressed in the container participates in the backflushing of the filter elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Tuomo Koivula
  • Patent number: 6325217
    Abstract: A backflush attachment for a filtering device, in particular for a plastics melt filter, the backflush attachment comprising a housing having guide channels following an entry bore, as well as backflushing channels, and at least one rotary piston which enables a flow passage in the respective guide channel when in its passing position and which interrupts the passage in the guide channel from the entry bore to the filtering device when in its closing position while providing a connection of a portion of the respective guide channel with an associated backflushing channel leading outside of said housing, the rotary piston having an eccentrically arranged passage channel of constant cross-section substantially corresponding to the cross-section of the guide channel, the axis of rotation of the rotary piston extending eccentrical in corresponding manner relative to the axis of the guide channel, and the passage channel forming a part of the guide channel when the rotary piston is in its passing position, whereas
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventors: Gerhard Hehenberger, Andreas Teuber, Johannes Remili
  • Patent number: 6318563
    Abstract: A fluid filter comprising a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element defining an upstream surface communicating with the fluid inlet and a downstream cylindrical surface communicating with the fluid outlet, the filter element comprising a stack of filter disks defining a hollow volume interiorly thereof and a longitudinal axis, and backflushing means for removing filtered out sediment from the filter element comprising an axially displaceable backflushing nozzle assembly disposed within the hollow volume comprising a rotating head coupled to the fluid inlet and having fluid outlet means, arranged to provide a generally radially directed pressurized jet and rotational motion of the rotating head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Mordeki Drori
  • Publication number: 20010032810
    Abstract: A strainer for immersion in liquid, especially shallow water, to prevent debris from entering a pump connected by a suction pipe to the interior of the strainer. The strainer has a cylindrical housing that is closed at the bottom and covered by a circular screen at the top. As the pump sucks water, the screen prevents debris from being sucked into the strainer interior along with the water. Debris drawn against the screen's exterior is dislodged by a rotating spray arm that contains nozzles and is disposed within the strainer interior to spray water against the screen. The water is fed under pressure to the spray arm through a separate supply line tapped into the pump's outlet. The spray arm nozzles are aimed to direct water generally upward through the screen to dislodge the debris and to cause the spray arm to rotate. Hence, as the spray arm spins, the water washes substantially the full face of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas R. Wilkins, Charles A. Wilkins, James O. Stoneburner
  • Patent number: 6294098
    Abstract: In an apparatus containing rotating filter media that removes solids from a fluid stream, the invention provides devices and methods for improved cleaning of the filter media. Solids trapped on the filter media are removed by the application of a suction pressure that draws the filter media into contact with a backwash shoe. The backwash shoe has one or more orifice slots in a radially tapered or oblique angular configuration or in a combination of radially tapered and oblique angular configurations. The orifice slot configuration creates an hydraulic condition where the unit of orifice area applied per unit filter area has a generally uniform ratio across the rotating filter media. This configuration equalizes the distribution of the backwash flow over the filter area, thereby maintaining the filter media in a more uniformly clean and effective filtering condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Aqua-Aerobics System, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugen O. Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20010022286
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a vessel having a medial portion and a lower end. The vessel is adapted to contain a filtering medium. The cap assembly is provided with a cap having a lower portion, an upper portion, a sidewall extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, and a fluid outlet being formed through a portion of the sidewall. The lower portion is sized so as to be positioned on the medial portion on the vessel to form a fluid-type relationship between the lower portion of the cap and the medial portion of the vessel when the cap is positioned on the medial portion of the vessel and so that fluid communication is established between the cap and the vessel. The fluid outlet is offset laterally from a centrally disposed elongated axis of the cap so as to form a vortex when back washing the filtering medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: William D. Hawk, Gary D. Cryer
  • Patent number: 6283305
    Abstract: For uniformly, satisfactorily, and automatically removing foreign matter that has accumulated on the filter, the apparatus includes a housing having an inflow portion and an outflow portion, a filter having a large number of piled resilient filter chips between which a filtering gap for passage of fluid to be filtered is formed, an actuator for expanding the filtering gap between spring members in backwashing, and a backwashing channel for causing backwash fluid to flow through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Maeda, Go Endo, Takayuki Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20010008219
    Abstract: A fluid filter comprising a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element defining an upstream surface communicating with the fluid inlet and a downstream cylindrical surface communicating with the fluid outlet, the filter element comprising a stack of filter disks defining a hollow volume interiorly thereof and a longitudinal axis, and backflushing means for removing filtered out sediment from the filter element comprising an axially displaceable backflushing nozzle assembly disposed within the hollow volume comprising a rotating head coupled to the fluid inlet and having fluid outlet means, arranged to provide a generally radially directed pressurized jet and rotational motion of the rotating head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Mordeki Drori
  • Publication number: 20010008218
    Abstract: A multimedia fluid treatment unit and rotatable valve are disclosed in which a plurality of discreet containers are removably stacked upon each other and contain various different and distinct water treating media. The rotatable valve is rotatable between either of three positions one of which is a service position for routing the water to be treated through the unit for treatment, a second of which is a rinse position for rinsing the media in the unit, and a third of which is a backwash position for backwashing and/or regenerating the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 6248246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous-action filtering method, a filtering apparatus, as well as to the use of the discussed apparatus, as an automatic filter in the fuel or lubrication system of an engine. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises three filtering units, having a common inlet channel for a flow to be filtered, a common outlet channel for a filtered flow, as well as a common valve element provided with flow connections for controlling the flow in such a manner that the filtering units are in operation one at a time. An essential feature in the operation of the valve element is its ability to rotate around its axis and, furthermore, its ability to move between two different positions, the two filter units being operable alternately by rotating the valve element and the third filtering unit being operable by moving the valve. The valve element is constituted, e.g., by a cylindrical, axially movable spindle, which is also rotatable around its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Oy
    Inventor: Tuomo Koivula
  • Patent number: 6248243
    Abstract: A cartridge filter element of known degree of filtration is the central part of the meter for monitoring water quality with respect to suspended particles. Typically the holder of the filter element is located in a sampling line which is at a point downstream of the commercial primary filter being monitored. Sensors of rate and differential pressure send signals to the microprocessor of the meter which measures the transmissibility of the monitor cartridge filter. Thus the microprocessor calculations determine the quality of the commercial primary filter effluent. Also microprocessor logic manipulates the steps of the meter and sends signals to display, controls and alarms depending on the water quality observed. A tangible additional benefit of this meter in comparison to an optical turbidity meter is the identification of the composition of the solids. The flushing step reveals the response of the monitor filter to solids removal by flushing agent or agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: James T. Farley
  • Patent number: 6235210
    Abstract: The present invention provides a combination continuous and batch filtration system for a recirculating fryer where the continuous filter and batch filter assemblies are integrated into a single unit, utilizing a common pump. This unit is substantially compact and is therefore able to fit within the frame of most recirculating fryers. The outlets of the continuous filter and the batch filter are connected to a two-way valve, which is, in turn, connected to the inlet of the common pump. The valve allows an operator to selectively pump cooking fluid from either the continuous filter or the batch filter back into the fryer vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventor: Atul Saksena
  • Patent number: 6200467
    Abstract: A filtering device includes a cylindrical screen 2 having a rotatable backwash tube 3 provided coaxially therein. The backwash tube includes a first end portion including an inlet 3c for introducing filtered liquid and a second end portion including an opening 3d for discharging filtered liquid and introducing backwash water. A plurality of backwash water injection holes 13d are formed along the backwash tube in an axial direction thereof at a predetermined interval. A check valve 14 is disposed within the backwash tube adjacent the inlet 3c such that in a filtration operation filtered liquid is allowed to flow from the inlet 3c into the backwash tube 3 and then into the liquid transfer tube 9. In a backwash operation, the check valve prohibits backwash water from flowing to the inlet from the backwash tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6196301
    Abstract: A device for injecting pressurized fluids into a multiplate heat exchanger, comprising a leaktight chamber (2) provided with an arrangement for feeding and discharging a first pressurized fluid, a plate pack (1) placed in the chamber (2) and including channels for the flow of this first fluid mixed with a second pressurized fluid, and at least one nozzle (21) for injecting the second fluid. The nozzle (21) is connected to a pipe (22) for feeding the second fluid and to a pipe (24) for discharging the particles deposited on a filter unit placed inside the nozzle (21) downstream of the point where the two pipes (22, 24) join the nozzle (21) with respect to the direction of flow of the second fluid. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning such an injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Packinox
    Inventor: Dominique Sabin
  • Patent number: 6190557
    Abstract: A spiral wound type membrane element is formed by winding independent or continuous envelope-like membranes around the peripheral surface of a water collection pipe and interposing raw water spacers between the envelope-like membranes. When running, raw water is supplied from at least the periphery side of the spiral wound type membrane element and permeate is taken out from an opening end of the water collection pipe. In back wash reverse filtration, permeate is introduced from the opening end of the water collection pipe and permeate guided out from the peripheral surface of the water collection pipe is discharged from at least the periphery side of the spiral wound type membrane element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Hajimu Hisada, Yuji Nishida
  • Patent number: 6186340
    Abstract: A drum filter comprises a pair of circular disks connected in coaxial relation by a plurality of axially extending disc support rods. A cylindrical filter media is disposed between the disc support rods. Unfiltered liquid is admitted to the interior of the drum filter and flows radially outwardly therefrom through the filter media. Reciprocating backwash nozzles direct high pressure liquid radially inwardly against the exterior surface of the filter media to backwash contaminants collected on the radially inner surface thereof into a contaminant collector disposed internally of the filter drum. The filter media is sealably connected to the circular disks by a novel retention system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Patent number: 6187178
    Abstract: A separator includes a barrier 53 for retaining solid material thereon and an automatic mechanism for alternately preventing and allowing the flow of liquid to the separator outlet. When the flow is prevented, the liquid backs up through the barrier and washes the solids to a solids collection region 55. In one embodiment, the automatic mechanism includes a pivoted flap 101 and, in another embodiment, a siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Paul Jeremy Lecornu, Bruce Peter Smith, Robert Yawgyamfi Andoh
  • Patent number: 6182833
    Abstract: A reciprocating power sprayer for cleaning a rotating cylindrical wastewater screen of the type formed of tubular perforate wedgewire. The spray is reciprocated on an elongated pneumatic cylinder which is arranged in parallelism along the cylinder wastewater screen. Controls are provided for automatically controlling the reciprocation of the spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: David R. Zittel