Filter apparatus and method for removing solids from fluids

Claim 1

A filter apparatus (F) for separating suspended solids (54a) from fluids, which comprises: a filter housing that has a filter chamber (33) defined within the housing; a filter bundle (36) positioned inside the filter chamber (33), the bundle including at least two filter screens, each screen being defined by an overlayer strand (50) of material joined to an underlayer strand (51) of material, the overlayer (50) and underlayer strands (51) being spaced apart and placed crosswise to each other; the spaces between each strand defining channels (52) which allow fluid to flow through the bundle (30) in a path parallel to each filter screen, and the spaces also defining openings (53) which allow flushing fluid to flow through the bundle in a path crosswise to each screen; a filter disk (34) positioned inside the filter chamber (33) and having a front face (34a) and a rear face (34b), the front face (34a) including a holder means (35) for the filter bundle (36), and the disk (34) including several flush ports (38) that extend from the holder means (35) to the rear face (34b) of the disk (34); a port closure plate (39) having a front face (39a) and a rear face (39b), and an actuator stem (41) fastened into the rear face (39b) of the plate (39) and into an actuator means (42); the actuator means (42) being designed to move the port closure plate (39) to a first position in which the plate (39) closes the flush ports (38), and to a second position in which the plate (39) uncovers the flush ports (38); a filter inlet fitting (45), and filter outlet fitting (46), said fittings being positioned in the filter housing, and in communication with the filter chamber (33); the filter inlet fitting (45) being designed for directing a fluid containing solid particles (54) into the filter bundle (36) when the port closure plate (39) is in its first position, the filter bundle (36) being designed to trap said particles (54) within the openings (53) in the filter screens as the fluid moves through said filter bundle (36), and the filter outlet fitting (46) being designed to carry said fluid out of the filter chamber (33) after it passes through the filter bundle (36); a flushing fluid inlet fitting (47, 48) positioned in the filter housing, and designed for directing a flushing fluid into the filter bundle (36) when the port closure plate (39) is in its second position; and wherein the movement of the flushing fluid through the the filter bundle (36) dislodges the solid particles (54) from the filter screens, and the fluid containing said particles (54) is carried out of the filter chamber (33) through a flushing fluid outlet fitting (49) positioned in the filter housing.

Claim 10

A method for separating suspended solids (54) from fluids by a filtration operation, which comprises the steps of: providing a filter housing having a filter chamber (33) defined within the housing; positioning a filter bundle (36) inside the filter chamber (33); the filter bundle (36) including at least two filter screens, each screen being defined by an overlayer strand (50) of material joined to an underlayer strand (51) of material, the overlayer (50) and underlayer (51) strands being spaced apart and placed crosswise to each other, the spaces between each strand defining fluid flow channels (52) in the filter bundle (36), and said spaces also defining fluid flow openings (53) in the filter bundle (36); positioning a filter disk (34) inside the filter chamber (33); the filter disk (34) having a front face (34a) and a rear face (34b), the front face (34a) including means for holding (35) the filter bundle (36) in place during the filtration operation, and the disk (34) including several flush ports (38) that extend from the holder means (35) to the rear face (34b) thereof; providing a port closure plate (39), and an actuator means (42) for moving the port closure plate (39) to a first position in which the plate (39) closes the flush ports (38), and to a second position in which the plate (39) uncovers the flush ports (38); directing a fluid containing solid particles (54) into the filter chamber (33) when the port closure plate (39) is in its first position; passing the fluid through the flow channels (52) in the filter bundle (36) in a path parallel to each filter screen; trapping the solid particles (54) within the filter screen openings (53), as the fluid moves through the flow channels (52); moving the filtered fluid out of the filter chamber (33) after it passes through the filter bundle (36); measuring the pressure exerted by the fluid being directed into the filter chamber (33), to determine a point at which the solid particles (54) should be removed from the filter bundle (36); causing the actuator means (42) to move the port closure plate (39) to its second position; directing a flushing fluid through the filter screen openings (53) to dislodge the solid particles (54) therein; and carrying the flushing fluid containing said particles (54) out of the filter chamber (33).

Claim 11

A method for separating suspended solids (54) from fluids by a filtration operation, which comprises the steps of: providing a filter housing having a filter chamber (33) defined within the housing; positioning a filter bundle (36) inside the filter chamber (33); the filter bundle (36) including at least two filter screens, each screen being defined by an overlayer strand (50) of material joined to an underlayer strand (51) of material, the overlayer (50) and underlayer (51) strands being spaced apart and placed crosswise to each other, the spaces between each strand defining fluid flow channels (52) in the filter bundle (36), and said spaces also defining fluid flow openings (53) in the filter bundle (36); positioning a filter disk (34) inside the filter chamber (33); the filter disk (34) having a front face (34a) and a rear face (34b), the front face (34a) including means for holding (35) the filter bundle (36) in place during the filtration operation, and the disk (34) including several flush ports (38) that extend from the holder means (35) to the rear face (34b) thereof; providing a port closure plate (39), and an actuator means (42) for moving the port closure plate (39) to a first position in which the plate (39) closes the flush ports (38), and to a second position in which the plate (39) uncovers the flush ports (38); directing a fluid containing solid particles (54) into the filter chamber (33) when the port closure plate (39) is in its first position; passing the fluid through the flow channels (52) in the filter bundle (36) in a path parallel to each filter screen; trapping the solid particles (54) within the filter screen openings (53), as the fluid moves through the flow channels (52); moving the filtered fluid out of the filter chamber (33) after it passes through the filter bundle (36); measuring the pressure exerted by the fluid being directed into the filter chamber (33), to determine a point at which the solid particles (54) should be removed from the filter bundle (36); causing the actuator means (42) to move the port closure plate (39) to its second position; directing a flushing fluid through the filter screen openings (53) to dislodge the solid particles (54) therein; and carrying the flushing fluid containing said particles (54) out of the filter chamber (33).