Filter with self-actuating rotating backwash selector

Claim 1

A filter for removing solids from a fluid comprising a housing having a partition which divides said housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a plurality of tubular filter means secured to the bottom of said partition, said tubular filter means being open at the top and closed at the bottom, means defining openings in the partition which allow for fluid to flow from the open end of each said filter means into said upper chamber, means for supplying fluid to be filtered to the lower chamber, means for recovering filtered fluid from the upper chamber, a blockoff plate positioned above said partition, said blockoff plate having at least one open area so that said plate is capable of covering and uncovering each of said openings at least once as said plate is rotated about an axis, blockoff plate mounting means located in said upper chamber which allow said plate to rotate and to move axially so that in the backwash mode said plate rests on said partition and in the filter mode said plate is lifted above said partition to allow filtrate to flow from all the filter means into the upper chamber, a turbine means secured to the upper surface of the blockoff plate, and a backwash inlet means for directing fluid to said turbine means in such a fashion as to cause said blockoff plate to rotate.