Backwash Or Blowback Patents (Class 210/411)
  • Patent number: 5779901
    Abstract: Apparatus for filtering a suspension having a chamber containing a cylindrical filter cartridge. At least one suction box is rotatably mounted inside the cartridge containing a scraper blade for riding in contact with the inside face of the cartridge. The blade is arranged to direct material removed from the cartridge into an opening formed in the box wherein the material is removed from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Cellier Groupe S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Mosca
  • Patent number: 5779900
    Abstract: A filter (102) for filtering fluid from a machine (104) includes a filter housing (106, 250) having a first inlet (114) receiving a first fluid from the machine, a first outlet (116) returning the first fluid to the machine, a second inlet (118) selectively receiving a second fluid from a source (120) of cleaning fluid, and a second outlet (122) for exhausting the second fluid and for exhausting the first fluid from the dirty side of the main filter element (124) in the housing backwashed by the second fluid. The filter housing has a first flow path (126) therethrough from the first inlet then through the filter element in one direction then to the first outlet, and has a second flow path from the second inlet then through the filter element in the opposite direction then to the second outlet, the first and second flow paths having common but opposite direction portions through the filter element. A second filter element (156) is provided in the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Holm, Brian W. Schwandt, Brian K. Wagner, Barry M. Verdegan, Stephen L. Fallon
  • Patent number: 5779889
    Abstract: A washing apparatus includes a bubbling wash section for impinging bubbles in washing liquid to a material such as a machined work to be washed so as to remove solids such as sludges and oils adhered to the material to be washed, and a sludge removal and oily water separation section for removing sludges or the like mixed with the washing liquid at the bubbling wash section and for separating oily water in the washing liquid, the washing liquid passed through said sludge removal and oily water separation section being returned to the initial bubbling wash section for circulation. An activated carbon filtration section for connection with the bubbling wash section is optionally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Eiichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5744034
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit includes a fluid pressure inlet line (1); a fluid pressure delivery line (2); and a filter unit (FU) interposed between the inlet line (1) and the delivery line (2), with the circuit incorporating an automatic back flushing facility. The latter comprises a valve arrangement A, B, C, D, capable of temporarily preventing initial flow of fluid through the filter unit (FU) in a delivery direction, causing reverse fluid flow through the filter unit (FU) in a back flushing direction, for a predetermined period, with the flushing sequence initiated by the valve arrangement sensing a flow of fluid, at a predetermined pressure, and after the predetermined period, causing fluid flow in the normal delivery direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hydra Tools International PLC
    Inventors: William Stephen Clapham, John Joseph Warren
  • Patent number: 5733464
    Abstract: A pond filtration device for filtering impurities from pond water and a backflush system for cleaning the filtration device. The illustrated embodiment includes a watertight body with a filter cage mounted longitudinally therein. A filter medium, such as burlap, encloses the filter cage and uses impurities filtered from the pond water as a natural filter to further filter the pond water. After the filter is full of impurities, the backflush system cleans the filter and removes the impurities from the watertight body. The backflush system includes a backflush member threadably mounted to a rotatable screw shaft. The backflush member projects water radially through the filter cage and filter medium to clean impurities therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Clearwater Fish & Pond Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: G. W. Bunch
  • Patent number: 5728297
    Abstract: An apparatus for the mechanical cleaning of liquids, especially cooling water delivered from a heat exchanger and flowing in a pipeline (10), with a rotationally symmetrical, conical sieve (12) of substantially the size of the pipe diameter, as well as a coaxial suction device (20) which is disposed on the upstream side of the sieve, is mounted for rotation continuously or with interruptions for the duration of a cleaning interval, and during the cleaning interval sucks bit by bit the entire surface of the sieve (12) on the upstream side, the sieve (12) being divided into areas, the intake nozzle (22) of the suction device (20) can cover each area, and in each area of the actual sieve surface and of the suction device there is a cavity for the temporary accommodation of contaminants, the sieve (12) being divided on its upstream side by substantially radial barriers (36) into individual sectors forming the areas, the intake nozzle (22) of the suction device (20) has such a shape that, at the moment in which th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Josef Koller
  • Patent number: 5723051
    Abstract: A gap filter for liquids of gases which has a filter body 13 which encloses a clean space within a filter housing and separates it from a dirt space. The filter body 13 is supported by an element which is constructed as a safety filter 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Bertram Bartelt, Peter Gohle, Wolfgang Schaal
  • Patent number: 5720875
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system uses a primary treatment vessel and a secondary vessel with a filtration unit therebetween. Continuous backwashing of the filtration unit occurs when a well pump is activated to empty the secondary vessel. A portion of fluid discharged by the well pump backwashes the filter continuously as the secondary treatment vessel is emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: William A. Stegall
    Inventors: William A. Stegall, Sr., Marty Tittlebaum
  • Patent number: 5711325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for carrying out the method for rinsing in a dish washer with a rinse water circuit, in which the rinse water is evacuated from the sump of the wash chamber by means of a circulating pump and, passing through a filter, is supplied to the spray devices in the wash chamber, the filter being cleaned in counterflow to the rinse water by means of introduced cleaning water. During the entire rinsing procedure the filter is cleaned in counterflow, the dirt particles in the filter being kept in suspension. The cleaning water is supplied to the rinse water circuit and preferably removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Whirlpool Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Gerd Kloss, Christa Maurer, Ludwin Rauber, Reinold Rheia
  • Patent number: 5674392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid treatment assembly comprising a filter (4) which itself comprises filtering elements (5) and a cleaning device (12) for periodically cleaning each filtering element including a conduit (17) for the evacuation of the cleaning fluid filled with impurities resulting from the cleaning, the treament assembly further comprising a centrifuging device which itself comprises a rotary enclosure (37) connected to a fluid admission conduit (28).According to the invention, the filtering elements (5) and the enclosure (37) are contained in a single casing (1A-1B), while the admission conduit (28) is directly connected (29-30) to the conduit (17) for evacuating the cleaning fluid.The invention finds an application in the construction of a compact and reliable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Moatti Filtration S.A.
    Inventors: Theophile Christophe, Jean-Claude Moatti
  • Patent number: 5667682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a fluid containing contaminants is provided whereby the apparatus includes an inlet for drawing fluid from a fluid source, a housing having attached thereto the inlet, a contaminant outlet, a clean outlet, a filtering assembly and a mechanism for agitating the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly has an upper or upstream end connected to the inlet and a lower or downstream end connected to the contaminant outlet. The filtering assembly is disposed within the housing and is connected to the contaminant outlet whereby fluid is introduced to the filter assembly at an upper end of the filtering assembly by the fluid inlet and whereby fluid is passed through the filtering assembly to provide clean, filtered fluid which is discharged via the clean outlet, and debris and other contaminants contained in the fluid are separated from the fluid and retained by the filtering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Water Renewal Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Laird
  • Patent number: 5665232
    Abstract: In an apparatus for separating off the liquid portion from the solid portion of two-phase systems, in particular ceramic slips, having a screw and having filter surrounding the screw, a two-stage construction of the apparatus is realized by a first filter and a second filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Dietrich Schlegel
  • Patent number: 5653874
    Abstract: A fish-excluding, self cleaning screen forming at least part of the boundary between a body of water such as a stream, and a bay from which water is to be withdrawn. On the bay side of the screen is a hub with a plurality of rotating wands that discharge water against the bay side of the screen to flush screen apertures and provide a periodic variation in flow through the screen to discourage passage of fish. Optional brushes may periodically brush the bay side of the screen to assist in cleaning the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Russell M. Berry, III
  • Patent number: 5635066
    Abstract: A pressure filter having a fluid compartment with a fluid inlet, at least one filter surface in the fluid compartment having a plurality of apertures, one side of the filter surface being restricted by the fluid compartment and the other side thereof being restricted by a filtrate compartment and having a filtrate outlet, and a backwasher means. The backwasher means includes a backwashing head sweeping over the filter surface and sealing a part thereof with respect to the fluid compartment. It restricts a backwashing compartment having at least one suction chamber open in a slot-like manner to the filter surface and having connected thereto a reject drain. A resiliently acting pressure unit is associated with the slat-like or plate-like backwashing head, the pressure unit pressing the radial outer portion of the backwashing head axially towards the filter surface. By this, a uniform contact pressure of the backwashing head against the filter surface in radial direction is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Mike Maurer
    Inventor: Uwe Maurer
  • Patent number: 5632903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter unit, and a filtering system using the filter unit, comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and an inlet and outlet for fluid containing solid contaminants and a back-flush inlet and back-flush outlet for cleansing fluid. This housing contains a substantially cylindrical filter element which has a longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the housing. The filter element has disposed within it a conduit, adapted to be opened to atmospheric discharge, having a longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the filter element. The conduit also has disposed along its surface cleansing members, which extend from the conduit to the filter element and have apertures to allow the cleansing fluid to flow through the members and into the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Infinity Research and Development
    Inventor: Louis D. Caracciolo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5632907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering a liquid from a liquid/solid mixture using a centrifuge. The centrifuge has a conveyor having a hub and a flight for imparting a centrifugal motion to the liquid/solid mixture. The conveyor is rotated for imparting the centrifugal motion. A filter is carried in the tank which holds the conveyor. The filter encircles the conveyor for filtering the liquid from the liquid/solid mixture. A backwash system has a tube having a series of nozzles positioned for spraying a fluid at the filter in a narrow band which circumscribes the filter. The tubing is connected to a header which projects out of the casing through an opening. The fluid sprayed through the nozzles is pumped through the header to the tubing having the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Fritz Norbury
  • Patent number: 5624557
    Abstract: A pressure filter has a fluid compartment with a fluid inlet and at least one filter surface in the fluid compartment having a plurality of apertures, one side of the filter surface bounding the fluid compartment and the other side thereof bounding a filtrate compartment having a filtrate outlet. The backwashing system includes a backwashing head sweeping over the filter surface and sealing a part thereof with respect to the fluid compartment. The backwashing head restricts a backwashing compartment having at least one suction chamber open in a slot-like manner to the filter surface and having connected thereto a reject drain. The filter includes two filter surfaces located in the front side range of a hub. The hollow shaft is rotatably supported within the hub. The hollow shaft is coupled at its front sides to a respective backwashing head and at its cylindrical part to a drive means located outside of the fluid compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Mike Maurer
    Inventor: Uwe Maurer
  • Patent number: 5612983
    Abstract: A device for filtering water to at least one emergency cooling system in a nuclear power plant of the type comprising a reactor arranged in a containment which substantially consists of an upright, suitably cylindrical container whose bottom part forms a pool for collecting water formed by condensation of steam present in the containment, the condensation pool including a number of back-flushable containers filter water which is taken from the pool and, if required, is supplied to nozzles in the emergency cooling system in order to cool the reactor core in the event of an inadmissible temperature rise therein, each strainer having a shape of a housing with at least one, suitably cylindrical, apertured strainer wall through which the water can flow from the outside and into the housing, and being connected, by a first conduit passing through the container wall, to a suction pump disposed outside the container wall, as well as connected to a secondary conduit for supplying wash water to the interior of the hous
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Vattenfall Utveckling AB
    Inventors: Mats Henriksson, Johan Sjostrand
  • Patent number: 5597487
    Abstract: A water purification and dispensing apparatus comprises a water inlet for obtaining water from a supply source and a water purification system with filters for removing impurities from the source water to produce purified water. The water purification system is designed to respond to a demand condition for purified water by recirculating purified water in the apparatus to flush the filters of the water purification system. The apparatus also includes a mineralization system and has a dispensing system for dispensing the mineralized purified water into containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: J. Vogel Premium Water Co.
    Inventors: Gerald Vogel, Joseph Tholen
  • Patent number: 5595655
    Abstract: A fluid filter assembly having a body with a chamber for receiving a filter element supported by the body. At least one cleaning device is positioned adjacent the inlet side of the filter element. The cleaning device includes a hollow duct for collecting dislodged particulate matter, an adjustable scraper or brush and a deflector substantially equal in length to the scraper or brush. Nozzles may be provided for directing pressurized cleaning fluid toward the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: TM Industrial Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl A. Steiner, Ricky L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5587074
    Abstract: A backflush conduit for an automatic back flushing filter having an inlet portion with a symmetrical converging bell-shaped cross-section, an outlet portion with a generally cylindrical shape, and a converging and reorienting transition portion connecting the inlet and outlet portions. Converging convex surfaces of the bell shaped opening smooth fluid inflow and prevent fulid separation. The transition portion interior contour redirects the fluid flow without inducing turbulence, resulting in more efficient backflushing to clean the entire filter element even at small element pore sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard J. Lynch, Joseph Quinn
  • Patent number: 5587075
    Abstract: Described is a pressure filter comprising a fluid compartment with a fluid inlet, at least one filter surface in the fluid compartment having a plurality of apertures, one side of the filter surface being restricted by the fluid compartment and the other side thereof being restricted by a filtrate compartment having a filtrate outlet, and a backwashing means. The backwashing means includes a backwashing head sweeping over the filter surface and sealing a part thereof with respect to the fluid compartment. It restricts a backwashing compartment having at least one suction chamber open in a slot-like manner to the filter surface and having connected thereto a reject drain. The slot-like aperture of the suction chamber is formed in such a manner that each aperture of the filter surface, independent of its radial position, is swept over by the slot-like aperture approximately in the same space of time. Accordingly, a uniform cleaning process of the filter surface by the backwashing head results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Mike Maurer
    Inventor: Uwe Maurer
  • Patent number: 5584314
    Abstract: The invention provides a self-cleaning inlet head for a fluid, operable in a first, draining, mode and in a second, backflushing, mode, including a body having a front end and a rear end; a piston slidably mounted in the body and having having a front face and a rear face; a first space extending between the rear end of the body and the rear face of the piston and a second space extending between the front face of the piston and the front end of the body; a bore connecting the first space and the second space; a valve mounted in the first space for closing off the bore during the second mode of operation; an aperture for access of the fluid from outside the head into the second space in the first mode of operation, and for exit from the second space in the second mode of operation, wherein, at the onset of the second mode of operation, the valve closes off the bore and subsequently moves the piston, thereby initiating a mechanical shearing action loosening any occluding matter in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Dan Bron
  • Patent number: 5579790
    Abstract: A filter screen assembly is provided which includes a housing, a filter screen, and two valve or check balls. The housing has two interior walls, each having openings therein which divide an interior space of the housing into top, center, and bottom chambers. A first inlet and a first outlet open into the top chamber and a second inlet and a second outlet open into the bottom chamber. The filter screen is horizontally disposed within the center chamber. One check ball is located in the top chamber and is biased to close the first inlet by a bottom inclined surface of the top chamber. The check ball is forced to substantially close the first outlet when fluid flows in the first inlet. The other check ball is located in the bottom chamber and is biased to close the second inlet by a bottom inclined surface of the bottom chamber. The check ball is forced to substantially close the second outlet when fluid flows in the second inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Edwards, John E. Dries
  • Patent number: 5575911
    Abstract: A filter operable in either a filtering mode or in a flushing mode, includes a cylindrical filter body, and a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of axially-extending, circumferentially-spaced filter compartments each communicating with an axial section of the filter body. All the filter compartments communicate with the fluid inlet except for at least one filter compartment which is blocked. A flushing pathway is provided between each blocked compartment and the flushing outlet. A valve in the flushing pathway is movable either to (a) a closed position during the normal filtering mode, or (b) an open position during the flushing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Super Disc Filters Ltd.
    Inventor: Peretz Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 5567313
    Abstract: A cylindrical condensate filter housing is disclosed for the containment of a condensate filter media. The housing includes a domed, removable top member for the filter housing, and the domed top includes mounting means within its domed section for (1) a balanced pressure thermostatic air vent, (2) a backwash water inlet, (3) a filtered condensate outlet, and (4) a safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Juan G. Almeida
  • Patent number: 5556535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the purification of a polluted liquid, especially a washing liquid used at a washing installation, by sucking the polluted liquid and leading it through at least one filter and next leading back the liquid purified thus to a take-off point, whereby the liquid flow carried through the filter is maintained at a substantially constant level. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method comprising a suction line connected to a source of polluted liquid, a discharge line for the purified liquid debouching at a take-off point, at least one filter unit positioned between the suction line and the discharge line, a pump connected therewith in series and a device for limiting the amount of liquid flowing across the filter unit positioned in series with the filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Micro Tec B.V.
    Inventor: N. Van Der Est
  • Patent number: 5554284
    Abstract: A backwashable fluid filter formed with a filter element which is disposed so that it can be rotated about its axis inside the filter housing by a drive mechanism and through which a radial flow passes. A backwashing device is provided which includes a dirt removal channel which extends parallel to the axis of the filter element. When the filter element is backwashed, clean fluid flows back through the filter element, removes dirt particles adhering to the filter element and carries them into the dirt removal channel. In order to pre-clean the filter element, a resiliently mounted stripping device is arranged in front of the backwashing device to remove coarse dirt from the surface of the filter element before it reaches the backwashing device. The filter element is provided with slit-like openings, each of which has a substantially U-shaped configuration and defines a resilient tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Bertram Bartelt, Peter Gohle, Wolfgang Schaal
  • Patent number: 5549825
    Abstract: A filter screen structure for a backflushed liquid filter has a screen separating the raw-liquid side of the filter from the clean-liquid side thereof, including at least one row of substantially parallel rods extending along the screen, wherein the screen is threaded between the rods, partially enveloping the rods alternatingly from the raw-liquid side of the filter and from the clean-liquid side thereof. At least some of the rods are provided with substantially circumferential groove-like recesses, facilitating the passage of the liquid from the raw-liquid side via the screen to the clean-liquid side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignees: Filtration Ltd., Ytzhak Barzuza
    Inventor: Ytzhak Barzuza
  • Patent number: 5547570
    Abstract: A screening device for pulp production includes a cylindrical container for continuous flow-through of a fiber suspension and further includes an inlet to the container and an outlet for the fiber suspension, a moveable support member mounted in the container and which supports hollow screening members for vertical movement; a tubular enclosure open at opposite ends is mounted on the supporting member which enclosure has a moveable piston mounted therein, a hydraulic cylinder being connected to the piston to move the piston in a portion of the enclosure with the hydraulic drive mounted outside of said container with transmission members connected to said supporting member which will therefore absorb the reaction forces generated in moving the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping Technologies AB
    Inventor: Ole Richter
  • Patent number: 5545321
    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 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Mordeki Drori
  • Patent number: 5539790
    Abstract: A strainer device for filtering water to an emergency cooling system in a nuclear power plant includes a housing or tube having a perforated or apertured strainer wall through which water may flow from the outside and into the interior of the housing in connection with the regular filtration of water taken in. A water-receiving accumulator tank is connected to the cavity of the strainer housing and a source of pressurized gas is connected to the tank in order, if required, to feed pressurized gas into the tank so as to momentarily force water out therefrom and into the cavity of the strainer housing while backflushing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Vattenfall Utveckling AB
    Inventor: Mats Henriksson
  • Patent number: 5520028
    Abstract: An activated carbon filter system for a clothes cleaning apparatus of the type using cleaning fluid for cleaning dirty clothes. The system comprises a receptacle unit. A structure is for fluidly connecting the receptacle unit to the clothes cleaning apparatus, so as to allow the cleaning fluid to travel therethrough. A prefilter is within the receptacle unit for separating large contaminant dirt particles from the cleaning fluid during a first state washing cycle. A filter assembly is within the receptacle unit for separating small contaminant dirt particles from the cleaning fluid after the cleaning fluid passes through the prefilter during a second state washing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Eric Kim, Jong H. Kim
  • Patent number: 5514270
    Abstract: A filter element and a system for cleaning the filter element, including a plurality of layers of fibers arranged in substantially uniform orientation over at least a portion of their active length, along which portion at least, each of the fibers is disposed in close proximity to its adjacent fibers, and a body member constituting a backing surface for the fibers. The system further includes nozzle means for applying at least one fluid jet against the fibers; and means for applying a relative movement between the fiber layers and the fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignees: Filtration Ltd., Ytzhak Barzuza
    Inventor: Ytzhak Barzuza
  • Patent number: 5512167
    Abstract: A filtration system including a crossflow filter having an interior membrane and a backpulse piston-and-cylinder assembly having a first port connected to a permeate outlet of the crossflow filter and a second port positioned at a different location than the first port. The piston-and-cylinder assembly has an interior piston movable between a first position blocking fluid flow between the first port and the second port and a second position permitting fluid flow between the first and second ports. An actuator is connected to the piston so as to move the piston from the second position to the first position. The piston defines an interior chamber within the assembly. The first port and the second port are in fluid communication with the interior chamber when the piston is in the second position. A controller is connected to the actuator for causing the movement of the piston relative to a temporal event or to a pressure differential across the interior membrane of the crossflow filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Case Engineering & Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorne C. Gramms, Ronald W. Bowman, Robert R. Craycraft
  • Patent number: 5510029
    Abstract: A liquid-cleaning filter system with distillation capability has twin permanent filter assemblies, each utilizing a wire mesh filter cartridge which is backwashed using an internal sprayer nozzle assembly. During the normal operation of the filter cartridge, which is located in a pressurizable inverted bell housing, contaminates are filtered through a sheet of wire mesh arranged in a star configuration on a frame structure within the filter cartridge. The liquid filtering system is especially adapted for use in dry cleaning operations where a layer of diatomaceous earth and a layer of activated carbon deposited are on the wire mesh at the start of normal forward flow. Contaminates collect on this filter bed, thus cleaning the dry cleaning solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Benian Filter Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Benian
  • Patent number: 5505843
    Abstract: In a water supply plant which cleans water taken in from such sources of intake water as lakes and marshes, dams, rivers and so on and delivers the water as city water, obstructions to water treatment is predicted and methods for preventing the obstruction are decided, by measuring kinds and quantity of plankton and comparing the measured data with rules representing relations among kinds and quality of plankton, obstructions to water treatment and counteractions to such obstructions stored in a rule base in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Misako Obuchi, Shoji Watanabe, Mikio Yoda, Naoki Hara, Bunchi Kimura, Hayao Yahagi
  • Patent number: 5498349
    Abstract: A filtration concentration apparatus and method by which a high operation efficiency of a filter is assured are disclosed. The filtration concentration apparatus comprises an original liquid intake path interconnecting a primary side of a pump and an original liquid storage tank, an original liquid supply path interconnecting a secondary side of the pump and an original liquid chamber of a filter, an original liquid return path interconnecting the secondary side of the pump and the storage tank, an original liquid recovery path interconnecting the original liquid chamber and the primary side of the pump, a liquid discharge path interconnecting a bottom portion of the original liquid chamber and a waste liquid tank, and a control unit for controlling the recovery path to open when the intake path and the supply path are open and controlling the intake path and the supply path to close when the recovery path and the return path are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sanshin Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoichi Kurahashi, Yoshifumi Usui, Kazuhiko Yagishita, Aisaburo Yagishita
  • Patent number: 5498330
    Abstract: A gray water reclamation system is disclosed. The system includes a gray water filter and a gray water conduit for receiving exclusively gray water from at least one household source and passively delivering the gray water through a water filter to remove impurities therefrom. Filtered water is temporarily stored in an underground tank. A sensing apparatus such as a pressure tank determines when gray water is required by an outside irrigation system, inside toilets or other appliances. Suitable controls direct a pump to transmit water from the storage tank to either irrigation apparatus or, after further filtering, to appliances in need of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Steven F. Delle Cave
  • Patent number: 5494109
    Abstract: A well rod pump having a filter system to remove particulate material from the fluids produced from the well and an automatic back flush system using pumped fluid to flush particulate material from the filter system in response to increased pressure differential across the filter system, including a rod moved by a piston to open the valves of the pump, and a time delay connected to continue to hold the valves open for a period sufficient to allow back flushed particles to settle in the well. Well treatment chemicals may be injected into the well with the back flushing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Stren Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5490924
    Abstract: A filtration system for cleaning contaminated fluids having input means disposed tangentially of a cylindrical filter surface and simultaneously sweeping said surface and providing a fluid flow therethrough and backwash means having one or more nozzle bearing standpipes adapted to simultaneously rotate within and axially reciprocate spray nozzles relative to a cylindrical filter assembly to dislodge particulates therefrom either concurrently or independently of the flow of contaminated fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Control Systems Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Narciso F. Macia, Richard A. Pyde
  • Patent number: 5470470
    Abstract: A liquid filtration apparatus comprises a filter body (1) housing a filter module (3) and having an inlet port (6) for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet port (10) for the filtered liquid. The filter module (3) consists of a compact mass of substantially parallel elongate fibers (28) oriented axially in a cylindrical casing. An inflatable band surrounds the fiber mass and is located between the fiber mass and the inner wall of the cylindrical casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Leyat Fils Marketing SA
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Leyat
  • Patent number: 5470473
    Abstract: An assembly for recovering crystals from a slurry comprises a filtration unit including a rotatably mounted cylindrical filter, a slurry input for receiving slurry pressurized by a pump. The filtration unit has an outlet for discharging crystalline material separated from the slurry by the filtration unit. A first hopper connected to the filtration unit at the discharge outlet thereof is provided at a downstream side with a first valve unit which is in turn connected to a second hopper on a downstream side. A second valve unit is coupled to the second hopper at a downstream side thereof. Each of the valve units includes a rotatably mounted dome shaped valve member. The second hopper is provided with a vent extending to a gas storage tank. A conduit links the hoppers to one another for substantially equalizing pressure in the hoppers prior to an opening of the upstream valve during a discharge procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David B. Park, Michael F. Crawley
  • Patent number: 5470474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing a lumen filler and/or undesired auxiliary processing agents from hollow fibers or hollow fiber membranes by extraction with supercritical gases. The invention likewise relates to the hollow fibers or hollow fiber membranes freed of a lumen filler and/or undesired auxiliary processing agents by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel NV
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ansorge, Ralf Hornscheidt, Andreas Jungheim, Klaus Muller
  • Patent number: 5464542
    Abstract: A method for filtering and backwashing solid particles out of liquids is illustrated, with a filter drum (5) positioned completely below the liquid level (6) having a cylindrical surface (7) coated with a filter medium (8), the liquid flown through the outside of the filter drum to the inside. A backwashing device for removal of the filter cake from the filter medium is provided. At the beginning of each cycle of backwashing an air cushion (15) is introduced in the filter drum (5) and liquid in the filter drum (5) is displaced in such a manner so that liquid jets from an ejetion apparatus (19) containing a spraying head (17) and being arranged in the interior of the filter drum without being sealed on the filter drum penetrate through the air cushion (15) to the backside of the cylindrical surface (7) of the filter drum (5). The filter cake so removed from the filter drum is withrawn at the outside of filter drum (5) in a stream of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Hans Huber GmbH Maschinen-und Anlagenbau
    Inventors: Johann Grienberger, Rudolf Bogner, Christian Frommann
  • Patent number: 5462678
    Abstract: A filter device including means to produce an air actuated purge for backwashing a filter assembly including a double sieve basket having a flexible filter between the double baskets. The backwash removes caked contaminant from the filter and baskets. The purge uses only the quantity of liquid in the housing and a blast of air to backwash the filter. The pressurized air causes roiling of the liquid and accelerates the blowing through the sieve baskets and flexible filter for the backwash to remove and loosen the contaminants. The air which follows the liquid through the filter assembly further loosens and then removes the remainder of the contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Rosedale Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Borje O. Rosaen
  • Patent number: 5462679
    Abstract: A reusable oil filter adapted to filter oil used in an engine includes a housing operatively connected to the engine, filter media disposed within the housing, a singular backwashing inlet operatively connected on the housing and an oil drain operatively connected with the housing. Pressurized air delivered through the backwashing inlet forces filtered oil to backflow through the filter media displacing contaminated oil from the filter media and creates an air-oil foam for further cleaning the filter media while the housing remains connected to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, Christopher E. Holm, Stephen L. Fallon, Brian W. Schwandt
  • Patent number: 5460715
    Abstract: In a process for filtering plasma by separating blood into blood cells and plasma by a primary filter and filtering the separated plasma by a secondary filter to remove macromolecules from the plasma as harmful components, the loss of plasma to be discarded from the system by a procedure for eliminating plugging of the secondary filter can be diminished by opening an inner chamber of the secondary filter to the atmosphere to thereby lower the internal pressure of the chamber every time increase of the pressure to an upper limit value due to an increasing plugging tendency of the secondary filter is detected, and washing the interior of the secondary filter from the inner and outer chamber sides after the internal pressure has lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Kawamura, Motoki Yonekawa, Eiji Sakashita, Hiroshi Kamogawa
  • Patent number: 5454936
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet system comprises a toilet bowl having a cover mounted for movement relative to the toilet bowl between an open position and a closed position, the cover being in at least partially sealing relation with the rim when in the closed position. A liquid supply opening is provided for introducing liquid into the toilet bowl when the cover is in the closed position. A discharge valve connects the outlet opening of the toilet bowl to a sewer pipe, in which a partial vacuum can be established. A reservoir has an inlet opening for receiving rinse liquid and an outlet opening in communication with the liquid supply opening. The inlet opening of the reservoir is exposed to substantially the same pressure as the liquid supply opening when the toilet bowl cover is in the open position and the discharge valve is closed. Rinse liquid is drawn from the reservoir into the toilet bowl by way of the liquid supply opening when the discharge valve is open and the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Oy Wartsila AB
    Inventors: Arne Ask, Sven Oldfelt, Harald A. A. Wallgren, Raymond L. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: RE35564
    Abstract: A self-cleaning canister type filter (1). A cylindrical canister enclosure (3) has, at one end, end plate (2) with fluid inlets (4) and outlet (6) therein. A spring-loaded hollow annular piston (30) is slideably mounted on the exterior of central tubular cylinder (10) and within upper cylinder (28) for a downward movement against compression spring (32) to initially force a back-flow of filtered fluid through filter element (14), lifting contaminant particulate solids from its filtering surface (15). Inlet valve opening (64) is opened to fluid flow when piston (30) attains a compressed position. Filter element (14) is closely spaced to canister enclosure inner wall surface (9) for rapid flow of fluid over the inlet surface (15) of the filter element (14) to scour solids to sump (5) in the lower portion of the canister enclosure (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: C.I.B., Inc.
    Inventor: Benedict R. Gerulis