Filter tank and mounting adaptor for multiport valves

Claim 2

A mounting adaptor for multiport valves having selectable filter and backwash flow positions for use in filtration systems, adapted to be removably attached to an opening in the tank of a bed type filter to permit access thereto, comprising a plate having a peripheral flange to sealably engage a corresponding flange at the opening to the filter tank, a first fluid connecting port adapted for connection to the multiport valve to receive influent fluid to be filtered in the filter position of the valve and to discharge backwash waste effluent in the backwash position of the valve, a second fluid connecting port adapted for conNection to the multiport valve to discharge filtered effluent in the filter position of the valve and to receive influent fluid to backwash the filter in the backwash position of the valve; and an inverted frustoconically shaped fluid diffuser integrally attached at its larger diameter end to the plate to form a unitary structure therewith and adapted to be disposed within the filter tank at least partially below the access opening, said diffuser having an annular flow chamber in communication with the first fluid connecting port, a plurality of flow openings formed in the conical wall thereof in communication with the chamber to uniformly distribute influent fluid to be filtered across the top of the filter bed, a fluid passage formed therein in communication with the second fluid connecting port of the plate, an air bleed hole communicating the fluid passage and the annular chamber to discharge air trapped above the filter bed in said tank, and a further connecting port in communication with said fluid passage located at its smaller diameter end to be spaced below the tank access opening and adapted to sealably and removably engage a central standpipe in the filter tank to receive filtered fluid from and to supply backwash influent to the bottom of the filter bed, said further connecting port permitting removal of the adaptor from the standpipe to open and provide access to the tank interior without distributing the filter bed.

Claim 3

A multiport valve mounting adaptor in accordance with claim 1, in which the peripheral flange is adapted to be secured to the corresponding flange on the filter tank by a v-band coupling.

Claim 4

A multiport valve mounting adaptor in accordance with claim 1, molded from plastic material.

Claim 5

A filter and valve assembly for fluid circulation systems comprising, in combination, a filter tank having an access opening with a peripheral flange; a bed of filter material disposed within the filter tank to remove contaminants from the influent fluid; a multiport valve disposed at the exterior of the tank having selectable filter and backwash flow positions to selectively interconnect the filter with the fluid circulation system; a standpipe centrally disposed within the filter tank and terminating at a point below the access opening to receive water from and supply water to the bottom of the filter bed; and a mounting adaptor for the multiport valve removably attached to and enclosing the opening in the tank to permit access thereto, comprising a plate having a peripheral flange which sealably engages the flange on the tank, a first fluid connecting port attached to the multiport valve to receive influent fluid to be filtered in the filter position of the valve and to discharge backwash waste effluent in the backwash position of the valve, a second fluid connecting port attached to the multiport valve to discharge filtered effluent in the filter position of the valve and to receive influent fluid to backwash the filter in the backwash position of the valve, and an inverted frustoconically shaped fluid diffuser integrally attached at its larger diameter end to the plate to form a unitary structure therewith and disposed within the filter tank at least partially below the access opening and above the filter bed, said diffuser having an annular flow chamber in communication with the first fluid connecting port, a plurality of flow openings formed in the conical wall thereof in communication with the chamber to uniformly distribute influent fluid to be filtered across the filter bed, a central flow passage formed therein in communication with the second fluid connecting port of the plate, an air bleed hole communicating the central flow passage and the annular chamber to discharge air trapped above the filter bed upon start up, and a further connecting port located at its smaller diameter end in communication with the central flow passage at a point spaced below the tank access opening sealably and removably engaging the end of the standpipe to dirEct fluid between the multiport valve and the bottom of the filter bed, said further connecting port permitting removal of the adaptor from the standpipe to open and provide access to the tank interior without disturbing the filter bed.

Claim 6

A filter and valve assembly for fluid circulation systems comprising, in combination, a filter tank having an access opening with a peripheral flange; a bed of filter material disposed within the filter tank to remove contaminants from the influent fluid; a multiport valve disposed at the exterior of the tank having selectable filter and backwash flow positions to selectively interconnect the filter with the fluid circulation system; a standpipe centrally disposed within the filter tank and terminating at a point below the access opening to receive water from and supply water to the bottom of the filter bed; and a mounting adaptor for the multiport valve removably attached to and enclosing the opening in the tank to permit access thereto, comprising a plate having a peripheral flange which sealably engages the flange on the tank, a first fluid connecting port attached to the multiport valve to receive influent fluid to be filtered in the filter position of the valve and to discharge backwash waste effluent in the backwash position of the valve, a second fluid connecting port attached to the multiport valve to discharge filtered effluent in the filter position of the valve and to receive influent fluid to backwash the filter in the backwash position of the valve, and an inverted frustoconically shaped fluid diffuser integrally attached at its larger diameter end to the plate to form a unitary structure therewith and disposed within the filter tank at least partially below the access opening and above the filter bed, said diffuser having an annular flow chamber in communication with the first fluid connecting port, a plurality of flow openings formed in the conical wall thereof in communication with the chamber to uniformly distribute influent fluid to be filtered across the filter bed, a central flow passage formed therein in communication with the second fluid connecting port of the plate, an air bleed hole communicating the central flow passage and the annular chamber to discharge air trapped above the filter bed upon start up, and a further connecting port located at its smaller diameter end in communication with the central flow passage at a point spaced below the tank access opening sealably and removably engaging the end of the standpipe to dirEct fluid between the multiport valve and the bottom of the filter bed, said further connecting port permitting removal of the adaptor from the standpipe to open and provide access to the tank interior without disturbing the filter bed.

Claim 7

A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which the valve mounting adaptor is secured in place on the filter tank by a v-band coupling.

Claim 8

A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which the connecting ports on the mounting adaptor plate are bonded to the multiport valve.

Claim 9

A filter and valve assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which the mounting adaptor and multiport valve are formed of plastic material.