阅读说明：本技术 过滤装置及用于组装和拆解过滤装置的方法 (Filter device and method for assembling and disassembling a filter device ) 是由 R·K·巴特拉 T·范登兰根贝格 于 2021-04-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种过滤装置,用于分离液体混合物,过滤装置包括容器(2),容器具有第一过滤元件(14),其中,容器(2)包括平坦的容器底面(6)和容器罩面(7)；过滤装置包括壳体(3,3a,3b),壳体具有第二过滤元件,其中,壳体(3,3a,3b)包括平坦的壳体底面(11)和壳体罩面(12)；其中,容器罩面(7)包括形成凹部的缩进部(15)；其中,壳体罩面(12)的配合侧配置成装配到凹部中；其中,缩进部(15)和配合侧设置有连接装置(16)以将第一过滤元件(14)与第二过滤元件流体连接；其特征在于,缩进部(15)从容器底面(6)延伸,并且在壳体罩面(12)的配合侧装配到由缩进部(15)形成的凹部中时容器底面(6)和壳体底面(11)平行并且在同一平面内齐平。(A filter device for separating a liquid mixture, comprising a container (2) having a first filter element (14), wherein the container (2) comprises a flat container bottom surface (6) and a container cover surface (7); the filter device comprises a housing (3, 3a, 3b) having a second filter element, wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) comprises a flat housing bottom surface (11) and a housing cover surface (12); wherein the container finish (7) comprises a recess (15) forming a recess; wherein the mating side of the housing cover face (12) is configured to fit into the recess; wherein the indentation (15) and the mating side are provided with connection means (16) for fluidly connecting the first filter element (14) with the second filter element; characterized in that the indentation (15) extends from the container bottom surface (6) and that the container bottom surface (6) and the housing bottom surface (11) are parallel and flush in the same plane when the mating side of the housing cover (12) is fitted into the recess formed by the indentation (15).)

1. A filter device for separating a liquid mixture,

wherein the filter device (1) comprises a container (2) configured to contain at least one first filter element (14),

wherein the container (2) comprises an inlet port (4) for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element (14),

wherein the container (2) further comprises a flat container bottom surface (6) configured to allow the container (2) to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface (6) is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the container (2) further comprises a container cover (7) extending from the periphery of the container bottom surface (6) in the opposite direction to the container bottom surface (6),

wherein the filter device (1) comprises at least one housing (3, 3a, 3b) configured to contain at least one second filter element,

wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) comprises a flat housing bottom surface (11) configured to allow the housing to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface (11) is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) further comprises a housing cover (12) extending from the periphery of the housing bottom surface (11) in the opposite direction to the housing bottom surface (11),

wherein the container finish (7) comprises a recessed portion (15) forming a recess configured to receive the housing (3, 3a, 3b),

wherein the mating side of the housing cover face (12) is configured to fit into a recess formed by the indented portion (15),

wherein the recess (15) and the mating side are provided with connecting means (16) for detachably connecting the outlet of the first filter element (14) with the inlet of the second filter element in a fluid-tight manner when the mating side of the housing cover (12) is fitted into the recess formed by the recess (15),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

an indentation (15) extends from the vessel bottom surface (6) and fits into a recess formed by the indentation (15) at the mating side of the housing cover surface (12) such that the vessel bottom surface (6) and the housing bottom surface (11) are parallel and flush in the same plane when the outlet of the first filter element (14) is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second filter element.

2. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) comprises a housing top surface (19) opposite the housing bottom surface (11),

wherein the shell cover surface (12) is positioned between the shell bottom surface (11) and the shell top surface (19),

when the mating side of the housing cover face (12) is fitted into the recess, the housing top face (19) is inclined toward the housing bottom face (11) in a direction toward the recess formed by the indented portion (15).

3. A filter device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is provided with one or more wheels (20) at the side of the housing cover (12) opposite to the mating side,

wherein the circumference of the one or more wheels (20) is tangential to the extension of the housing bottom surface (11).

4. A filter device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more wheels (20) are partially recessed into the side of the housing cover (12) opposite the mating side.

5. A filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is provided with a grip portion (22) at the side of the housing cover (12) opposite to the mating side.

6. A filter device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the grip (22) is a recessed grip (23).

7. A filter device as claimed in claims 2 and 5, characterized in that the grip portion (22) is located closer to the housing top face (19) than to the housing bottom face (11).

8. A filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the filter device (1) comprises two or more housings (3a, 3 b).

9. A filter device according to claim 8, wherein the two or more housings (3a, 3b) are provided with one or more connecting conduits (21) configured to allow the liquid mixture to flow from the at least one second filter element contained in one of the two or more housings (3a, 3b) to the at least one second filter element contained in another of the two or more housings (3a, 3 b).

10. A filtering device according to claim 9, characterized in that said one or more connecting ducts (21) are flexible and are removably connected to said two or more housings (3a, 3 b).

11. The filter device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first filter element (14) is a coalescing filter element.

12. A filter device according to claim 11, characterised in that the coalescing filter element is made of foam, preferably comprising non-woven polypropylene fibres or borosilicate glass microfibres.

13. The filtration apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second filter element is an adsorbent bed filter element.

14. The filtration apparatus of claim 13, wherein the adsorbent bed filter element is selected from the group consisting of: an activated carbon filter element, an organoclay filter element, an activated alumina filter element, a zeolite filter element, or a hydrophobic polyurethane foam filter element.

15. A filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the container (2) is provided with a detachable lid (8).

16. The filtering device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the connection means (16) comprise:

-an outlet duct (17) of the container (2), the outlet duct (17) having an outlet end, the outlet end being fixed to the indentation (15) and facing the mating side of the housing cover (12) when the mating side of the housing cover (12) is fitted into the recess; and

-an inlet duct (24) of the housing (3, 3a, 3b), the inlet duct (24) having an inlet end (25) which is fixed to the mating side of the housing cover (12) and projects from the mating side of the housing cover (12) and which faces the outlet end (18) of the outlet duct (17) of the container (2) when the mating side of the housing cover (12) is fitted into the recess,

wherein the outlet end (18) and the inlet end (25) are configured to be sealingly connected when the mating side of the housing cover face (12) is fitted into the recess.

17. A filter device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the internal passage (27) of the outlet duct (17) has an inwardly converging taper at the outlet end (18).

18. A filter device as claimed in claim 16 or 17, characterised in that an O-ring (26) is provided around the inlet end (25).

19. A filter device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the inlet end (25) is provided with a step (28) configured to receive an O-ring (26).

20. The filtering device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the container (2) and/or the housing (3, 3a, 3b) are made of a thermoplastic material, preferably low density polyethylene.

21. The filtering device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the container (2) and/or the housing (3, 3a, 3b) are made by a rotational moulding process.

22. A filter device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 21, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the container (2) is provided with a discharge valve (29).

23. A filter device as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that a discharge valve (29) is provided at the opposite side of the vessel cover (7) to the setback (15).

24. A method for assembling a filter device, comprising,

wherein the filter device (1) comprises a container (2) configured to contain at least one first filter element (14),

wherein the container (2) comprises an inlet port (4) for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element (14),

wherein the container (2) further comprises a flat container bottom surface (6) configured to allow the container (2) to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface (6) is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the container (2) further comprises a container cover (7) extending from the periphery of the container bottom surface (6) in the opposite direction to the container bottom surface (6),

wherein the filter device (1) comprises at least one housing (3, 3a, 3b) configured to contain at least one second filter element,

wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) comprises a flat housing bottom surface (11) configured to allow the housing (3, 3a, 3b) to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface (11) is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) further comprises a housing cover surface which extends from the periphery of the housing bottom surface (11) in the opposite direction to the housing bottom surface (11),

wherein the container cover surface (7) is provided with a recessed portion (15) forming a recess configured to accommodate the housing (3, 3a, 3b),

wherein the mating side of the housing cover face (12) is configured to fit into a recess formed by the indented portion (15),

wherein the recess (15) and the mating side are provided with connecting means (16) for detachably connecting the outlet of the first filter element (14) with the inlet of the second filter element in a fluid-tight manner when the mating side of the housing cover (12) is fitted into the recess formed by the recess (15),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in order to connect the outlet of the first filter element (14) with the inlet of the second filter element, the method comprises the following steps: the mating side is moved into the recess in a state where the container bottom surface (6) and the housing bottom surface (11) are parallel and flush with a horizontal flat ground.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of: the fitting side is first moved to the recess in a state where the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is in a posture where the fitting side and the housing bottom surface (11) are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface (6) is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground, and then the fitting side is moved to the recess in a state where both the housing bottom surface (11) and the container bottom surface (6) are parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is rolled along a horizontal flat ground towards the container (2) during the step of first moving the mating side to the recess in a state where the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is in a position where the mating side and the housing bottom surface (11) are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface (6) is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

27. A method for disassembling a filter device is provided,

wherein the filter device (1) comprises a container (2) configured to contain at least one first filter element (14),

wherein the container (2) comprises an inlet port (4) for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element (14),

wherein the container (2) further comprises a flat container bottom surface (6) configured to allow the container (2) to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface (6) is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the container (2) further comprises a container cover which extends from the periphery of the container bottom surface (6) in the direction opposite to the container bottom surface (6),

wherein the filter device (1) comprises at least one housing (3, 3a, 3b) configured to contain at least one second filter element,

wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) comprises a flat housing bottom surface (11) configured to allow the housing (3, 3a, 3b) to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface (11) is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the housing (3, 3a, 3b) further comprises a housing cover (12) extending from the periphery of the housing bottom surface (11) in the opposite direction to the housing bottom surface (11),

wherein the container finish (7) comprises a recessed portion (15) forming a recess configured to accommodate the housing (3, 3a, 3b),

wherein the mating side of the housing cover face (12) is configured to fit into a recess formed by the indented portion (15),

wherein the recess (15) and the mating side are provided with connecting means (16) for detachably connecting the outlet of the first filter element (14) with the inlet of the second filter element in a fluid-tight manner when the mating side of the housing cover (12) is fitted into the recess formed by the recess (15),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in order to disconnect the outlet of the first filter element (14) from the inlet of the second filter element, the method comprises the steps of: the mating side is removed from the recess in a state where the container bottom surface (6) and the housing bottom surface (11) are parallel and flush with a horizontal flat ground.

28. The method of claim 27,

after removing the mating side from the recess in a state where the container bottom surface (6) and the housing bottom surface (11) are parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground, the method further comprises the steps of: the mating side is removed from the recess in a state where the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is in a posture where the mating side and the housing bottom surface (11) are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface (6) is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that during the step of removing the mating side from the recess in a position such that the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is on the mating side and the housing bottom surface (11) is inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface (6) is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground, the housing (3, 3a, 3b) is rolled away from the container (2) along the horizontal flat ground.

30. Use of a filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 23 for separating a liquid mixture of oil and water separated from air compressed in a compressor device.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filter device for separating a liquid mixture and a method for assembling and disassembling such a filter device.

In particular, the invention relates to a filter device for separating a liquid mixture, comprising a container configured to contain a first filter element and a housing configured to contain a second filter element, the container and the housing comprising connection means to form a fluid connection between an outlet of the first filter element and an inlet of the second filter element, the container and the housing being assembled into a compact entity while forming such a fluid connection, and the filter device being easily disassemblable again into the container and the housing.

Background

In order to comply with legal regulations or to recover valuable process liquids, it is often required to separate contaminants from waste streams in industrial processes.

For example, the oil in the condensate needs to be separated from the water before the condensate from the air compressor can be discarded.

Several filter devices for separating liquid mixtures, such as oil-water mixtures, are known from the prior art.

One known filter device is designed as a set of vertical cylindrical columns or "towers", as described for example in EP 0003859a1, GB 2350571a and EP 1502636A 1.

In general, in a filter device of this type, the liquid to be separated is first conveyed through a vertical column containing a first filter element to enable flow separation of a large number of liquid contaminants. The liquid is then further transported through other columns containing other filter elements to achieve a finer separation.

A disadvantage of such a filter device is that the vertical cylindrical column constitutes a bulky design, which is of course suitable for filter devices for separating large liquid mixture streams.

For the reasons mentioned above, filtration devices have been developed in which various components of the filtration device have been integrated in a more compact and compact design.

EP 1702660 a1, EP 2539423 a1 and EP 2600961 a1 describe a filter arrangement in which a first filter element for the flow-through separation of a large amount of liquid contaminants from a liquid mixture and a second filter element for the fine separation of the remaining liquid contaminants from the liquid mixture are stacked on one another in a filter housing.

A disadvantage of such a filter device is that it is always necessary to remove the first filter element before the second filter element can be serviced or replaced.

GB 2251812A and GB 2260133 a both describe an apparatus for separating oil from a mixture of oil and water having a first separation chamber optionally containing a coalescing filter element and a second separation chamber containing an adsorbent bed filter element. The first separation chamber is contained in a container and the second separation chamber is contained in a housing separate from the container. The container has a recess that can accommodate the housing, and the container and the housing can be fluidly connected by inserting the housing into the recess and separated by removing the housing from the recess.

However, the indentation in the container is located at a higher level in the container, which entails the risk that the housing will accidentally fall to the ground when removed from the indentation, for example when the filter element in the housing needs to be replaced, in particular when the housing is large and heavy. This complicates removal of the housing from the indented portion and can result in housing breakage and/or manual handling injuries.

Furthermore, once the housing is removed from the indentation, it is difficult to transport the housing over longer distances without the aid of external tools, especially when the housing is large and heavy, which impairs the maintainability of the housing and/or of the filter element contained therein.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to one or more of the above and/or other disadvantages.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filter device for separating liquid mixtures which has a compact design and high maintainability, even for large filter devices handling large liquid mixture streams.

To this end, the invention relates to a filter device for separating a liquid mixture,

wherein the filter device comprises a container configured to contain at least one first filter element,

wherein the vessel comprises an inlet port for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element,

wherein the container further comprises a flat container bottom surface configured to allow the container to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the container further comprises a container finish extending from the periphery of the container bottom surface in a direction opposite to the container bottom surface,

wherein the filter device comprises at least one housing configured to contain at least one second filter element,

wherein the housing includes a flat housing bottom surface configured to allow the housing to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the shell also comprises a shell cover surface which extends from the periphery of the bottom surface of the shell along the direction opposite to the bottom surface of the shell,

wherein the mat surface includes a recessed portion forming a recess configured to receive the housing,

wherein the mating side of the housing cover face is configured to fit into a recess formed by the indented portion,

wherein the indented portion and the mating side are provided with connecting means for removably fluidly connecting the outlet of the first filter element with the inlet of the second filter element when the mating side of the housing cover is fitted into the recess formed by the indented portion,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the indentation extends from the vessel bottom surface and fits into the recess formed by the indentation on the mating side of the housing cover surface such that the vessel bottom surface and the housing bottom surface are parallel and flush in the same plane when the outlet of the first filter element is fluidly connected with the inlet of the second filter element.

In this context, "horizontal flat ground" refers to a flat ground that is perpendicular to the direction in which the prevailing gravitational force (typically the gravitational pull of the earth) is exerted on the filter device. In other words, "horizontal flat ground" refers to a flat ground that is oriented horizontally.

In this context, "stably standing" means that the filter device does not produce shaking or tilting motion under the influence of the prevailing gravitational force (usually the gravitational force of the earth) exerted on the filter device after the filter device has been subjected to a force having a horizontal component.

In this context, an "overlay" is a surface that extends from the entire periphery of the bottom surface.

In this context, "a direction opposite to the bottom surface of the container" or "a direction opposite to the bottom surface of the housing" is a direction opposite to a normal line of the bottom surface of the container or the housing, respectively.

An advantage of such a filtering device according to the invention is that the housing can be removed from the container by translating it on a horizontal flat ground, when the bottom surface of the container is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground, as is the case when the container is correctly positioned, and when the mating side of the housing cover fits into the recess formed by the indentation of the housing cover.

This reduces or even eliminates the risk of the housing accidentally falling to the ground when it is removed from the container, thereby creating a safer situation than could be created with known filtering devices.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention, the housing comprises a housing top face opposite to the housing bottom face, wherein the housing cover face is located between the housing bottom face and the housing top face, the housing top face being inclined towards the housing bottom face in a direction towards the recess formed by the indentation when the mating side of the housing cover face is fitted into the recess.

This facilitates the possibility of tilting the mating side of the housing cover and the housing bottom surface away from the horizontal flat ground when removing the housing from the container, while the container bottom surface may remain parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground, and the housing bottom surface may still be supported by the horizontal flat ground at the side of the housing bottom surface opposite the mating side.

Thus, when the housing is removed from the container, neither the container nor the housing need be completely lifted from the horizontal flat ground to place the housing in an inclined position.

By utilizing this possibility, friction between the bottom surface of the housing and the horizontal flat ground can be reduced when removing the housing from the container. This facilitates removal of the housing from the container while the housing is still stably supported by a horizontal flat ground. In this way, the maintainability of the housing is improved, while still ensuring a safe removal of the housing.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention, the housing is provided with one or more wheels at the side of the housing cover opposite to the mating side, wherein the circumference of the one or more wheels is tangential to the extension of the housing bottom surface.

In this context, "extension of the bottom surface of the housing" refers to the plane in which the flat bottom surface of the housing lies.

In the case of utilizing the possibility of tilting the mating side of the housing cover and the housing bottom surface away from a horizontal flat ground surface, the one or more wheels further reduce the friction between the housing bottom surface and the horizontal flat ground surface when the housing is removed from the container while the housing bottom surface is still level with the horizontal flat ground surface at the side of the housing bottom surface opposite the mating side, thus facilitating removal of the housing from the container.

The wheel or wheels also make it less cumbersome to move large and heavy housings over long distances, thus facilitating maintenance of the housing and/or the second filter element contained therein and reducing the risk of injury to manual handling.

Preferably, the one or more wheels are partially recessed in a side of the housing cover opposite the mating side. This makes the housing more compact.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention described below, the housing is provided with a grip at the side of the housing cover opposite to the mating side.

The presence of this grip facilitates the removal of the housing from the container and the long-distance movement of the housing, thus facilitating the maintenance of the housing and/or the second filter element contained in the housing and reducing the risk of injury to manual handling.

The grip is preferably a recessed grip.

Preferably, the grip portion is located closer to the top surface of the housing than to the bottom surface of the housing.

The advantage of a recessed grip is that there are no protruding grip parts on the housing which would make the assembly of housing and container very bulky when the housing is mounted on the container.

When the recessed grip is closer to the top surface of the housing than to the bottom surface of the housing, the recessed grip may help a manual operator be able to tilt the mating side of the housing cover and the bottom surface of the housing away from a horizontal flat ground surface when removing the housing from the container. In this case, the manual operator also does not need to bend too deeply to remove the housing from the container, thereby reducing the risk of injury to manual handling.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device of the invention described below, the filter device comprises two or more housings.

In this way, the total volume and weight of the second filter element contained in the two or more housings is distributed over the two or more housings. This makes each of the two or more shells lighter, thereby increasing the maintainability of each of the two or more shells and reducing the risk of injury to manual handling when removing the two or more shells from the container.

Preferably, the two or more housings are provided with one or more connecting conduits configured to allow the liquid mixture to flow from the at least one second filter element contained in one of the two or more housings to the at least one second filter element contained in another of the two or more housings.

More preferably, the one or more connecting conduits are flexible and are removably connected to the two or more housings.

In this manner, the second filter elements in the two or more housings may be connected in series so that they may cooperate to separate liquid contaminants from the liquid mixture.

The conduit, which is flexibly and detachably connected to the two or more housings, can be easily removed from the housings and replaced, for example while maintaining or replacing the second filter element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention described below, the first filter element is a coalescing filter element.

The first filter element may perform a first flow separation of a volume of liquid contaminants from the liquid mixture, thereby protecting a second filter element that is more expensive and more sensitive to saturation than the first filter element.

Preferably, the coalescing filter element is made of a foam, preferably comprising non-woven polypropylene fibres or borosilicate glass microfibres.

Such foams provide a large internal surface area for liquid contaminant droplets to coalesce.

Non-woven polypropylene fibers or borosilicate glass microfibers are particularly suitable as a filter material for separating oil droplets from oil-water mixtures.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention described below, the second filter element is an adsorbent bed filter element.

Preferably, the adsorbent bed filter element is selected from the following: an activated carbon filter element, an organoclay filter element, an activated alumina filter element, a zeolite filter element, or a hydrophobic polyurethane foam filter element.

Adsorbent bed filter elements can more finely separate liquid contaminants from liquid mixtures.

Activated carbon, organoclay, activated alumina, zeolite or hydrophobic polyurethane foam are particularly suitable as filter materials for separating oil from oil-water mixtures containing only small amounts of oil.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention described below, the container is provided with a removable lid.

In this way, the first filter element contained in the container can be easily accessed without the need to remove the housing and the second filter element contained in the housing. Therefore, maintenance or replacement of the first filter element can be easily performed only by detaching the cap from the container.

According to the following preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the present invention, the connecting means comprises:

-an outlet duct of the container, the outlet duct having an outlet end, the outlet end being fixed to the indentation and facing the mating side of the housing cover when the mating side of the housing cover is fitted into the recess; and

an inlet duct of the housing having an inlet end fixed to and protruding from the mating side of the housing cover and facing the outlet end of the outlet duct of the container when the mating side of the housing cover is fitted into the recess,

wherein the outlet end and the inlet end are configured to be sealingly connected when the mating side of the housing cover face is fitted into the recess.

In this way, the fluid connection between the outlet of the first filter element and the inlet of the second filter element can be achieved in a simple and straightforward manner by push-fitting the inlet end of the inlet duct into the internal channel of the outlet duct.

Preferably, the internal passage of the outlet conduit has an inwardly converging taper at said outlet end.

In this way, the inlet end of the inlet duct can be easily positioned and guided into the internal passage of the outlet duct.

Furthermore, an O-ring is preferably provided around the inlet end.

This facilitates and ensures a good seal between the inlet end of the inlet duct and the internal passage of the outlet duct.

More preferably, the inlet end is provided with a step configured to receive an O-ring.

The step prevents the O-ring from being displaced relative to the inlet end of the inlet conduit when the inlet conduit is fitted and pushed into the internal passage of the outlet conduit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention described below, the container and/or the housing are made of a thermoplastic material, preferably low density polyethylene.

Thermoplastic materials, particularly low density polyethylene, are generally lightweight materials. Thus, by using such materials, the weight of the container and/or housing may be reduced, thereby improving the serviceability of these filter device components, particularly for large filter devices.

According to the following preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention, the container and/or the housing is made by a rotational moulding process.

In this manner, a seamless container and/or housing may be produced by standard molding processes. A seamless container and/or housing may be considered to be resistant to mechanical stress since the container and/or housing may break due to mechanical stress along the seam.

According to a preferred embodiment of the filter device according to the invention described below, the container is provided with a discharge valve.

When it is desired to empty the vessel during operation of the filter device, a drain valve may be used, providing the advantage that it is not necessary to lift and/or tilt the vessel, which may be heavy, to empty.

Preferably, the drain valve is provided at the opposite side of the vessel cover to the indented portion.

In this way, the discharge valve is easily accessible without removing the housing from the recess formed by the indentation.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling a filter device,

wherein the filter device comprises a container configured to contain at least one first filter element,

wherein the vessel comprises an inlet port for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element,

wherein the container further comprises a flat container bottom surface configured to allow the container to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the container further comprises a container finish extending from the periphery of the container bottom surface in a direction opposite to the container bottom surface,

wherein the filter device comprises at least one housing configured to contain at least one second filter element,

wherein the housing includes a planar housing bottom surface configured to allow the housing to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the shell also comprises a shell cover surface which extends from the periphery of the bottom surface of the shell along the direction opposite to the bottom surface of the shell,

wherein the container cover surface is provided with a retraction part which forms a concave part and is configured to accommodate the shell,

wherein the mating side of the housing cover face is configured to fit into a recess formed by the indented portion,

wherein the indented portion and the mating side are provided with connecting means for removably fluidly connecting the outlet of the first filter element with the inlet of the second filter element when the mating side of the housing cover is fitted into the recess formed by the indented portion,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in order to connect the outlet of the first filter element with the inlet of the second filter element, the method comprises the steps of: the mating side is moved into the recess with the container bottom surface and the housing bottom surface parallel and flush with a horizontal flat ground surface.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: the fitting side is first moved into the recess in a state where the housing is in a posture where the fitting side and the housing bottom surface are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground, and then the fitting side is moved into the recess in a state where both the housing bottom surface and the container bottom surface are parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

More preferably, during the step of first moving the fitting side to the recess in a state where the housing is in a posture where the fitting side and the housing bottom surface are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground, the housing is rolled toward the container along the horizontal flat ground.

It is clear that these embodiments of the method for assembling a filter device according to the invention provide similar advantages as the corresponding embodiments of the filter device according to the invention as described above.

The invention also relates to a method for disassembling a filter device,

wherein the filter device comprises a container configured to contain at least one first filter element,

wherein the vessel comprises an inlet port for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element,

wherein the container further comprises a flat container bottom surface configured to allow the container to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the container further comprises a container finish extending from the periphery of the container bottom surface in a direction opposite to the container bottom surface,

wherein the filter device comprises at least one housing configured to contain at least one second filter element,

wherein the housing includes a planar housing bottom surface configured to allow the housing to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground,

wherein the shell also comprises a shell cover surface which extends from the periphery of the bottom surface of the shell along the direction opposite to the bottom surface of the shell,

wherein the container cover surface comprises a retraction portion forming a recess configured to receive the housing,

wherein the mating side of the housing cover face is configured to fit into a recess formed by the indented portion,

wherein the indented portion and the mating side are provided with connecting means for removably fluidly connecting the outlet of the first filter element with the inlet of the second filter element when the mating side of the housing cover is fitted into the recess formed by the indented portion,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in order to disconnect the outlet of the first filter element from the inlet of the second filter element, the method comprises the steps of: the mating side is removed from the recess with the container bottom surface and the housing bottom surface parallel and flush with a horizontal flat ground.

Preferably, after removing the mating side from the recess in a state where the container bottom surface and the housing bottom surface are parallel and flush with a horizontal flat ground, the method further comprises the steps of: the fitting side is removed from the recess in a state where the housing is in a posture where the fitting side and the housing bottom surface are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

More preferably, during the step of removing the mating side from the recess in a posture such that the housing is on the mating side and the housing bottom surface is inclined away from the horizontal flat ground and the container bottom surface is parallel to and flush with the horizontal flat ground, the housing is rolled away from the container along the horizontal flat ground.

It is clear that these embodiments of the method for dismantling a filter device according to the invention provide similar advantages as the corresponding embodiments of the filter device according to the invention as described above.

Finally, the invention relates to the use of one of the aforementioned embodiments of the filter device according to the invention for separating a liquid mixture of oil and water separated from air compressed in a compressor device.

It is clear that the use of one of the aforementioned embodiments of the filter device according to the invention provides similar advantages as the aforementioned embodiment described above.

Drawings

In order to better illustrate the characteristics of the invention, some preferred embodiments of the filtering device according to the invention are described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a filter device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the filter apparatus of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 shows an alternative variant of the filtering device according to the invention;

fig. 4 shows a further alternative variant of the filter device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the filter device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the filter device of FIG. 1 taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the portion indicated by F7 in FIG. 6 in more detail;

fig. 8 shows a side view of the filter device of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 comprises a filter device 1 according to the invention for separating a liquid mixture. The filter device 1 includes: a container 2 containing at least one first filter element; and a housing 3 containing at least one second filter element.

The container 2 is provided with an inlet port 4 for introducing the liquid mixture into the first filter element. The housing 3 is provided with an outlet port 5 for leading out a liquid mixture separated from liquid contaminants retained by the first and second filter elements.

The container 2 comprises a flat container bottom surface 6 for allowing the container 2 to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the container bottom surface 6 is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

The container 2 further comprises a cover 7 which extends from the periphery of the container bottom surface 6 in a direction opposite to the container bottom surface 6.

The container 2 is also provided with a removable lid 8. The detachable cover may be provided with:

a cavity 9 configured to house a test capsule for visual inspection of the turbidity level of the liquid mixture exiting the filtering device 1; and

indicator bars 10, at least one of which is a saturation indicator bar configured to indicate the saturation level of the first filter element and at least another of which is an overflow indicator bar configured to indicate the level of liquid contained in the container 2.

The housing 3 comprises a flat housing bottom surface 11 for allowing the housing 3 to stand stably on a horizontal flat ground when the housing bottom surface 11 is parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground.

When the housing 3 is fitted into the container 2, the housing bottom surface 11 is parallel and flush with the container bottom surface 6.

When the housing 3 is fitted into the container 2, the housing bottom surface 11 and the container bottom surface 6 are generally positioned such that they are parallel to and flush with a horizontal flat ground surface.

The housing 3 further includes a housing cover 12 extending from the periphery of the housing bottom surface 11 in a direction opposite to the housing bottom surface 11.

The housing 3 is also provided with a sample tap 13 which can be used to draw a sample of the liquid mixture from the second filter element for analysis.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the filter device 1 according to the invention as shown in fig. 1. A first filter element 14 is contained within the container 2.

The cover 7 of the receptacle 2 comprises a recess 15 forming a recess configured to receive the housing 3.

The mating side of the housing cover 12 is configured to fit into the recess formed by the indented portion 15.

The indented portion 15 of the container top face 7 and the mating side of the housing top face 12 are provided with connecting means 16 for removably fluidly connecting the outlet of the first filter element 14 with the inlet of the second filter element when the mating side of the housing top face 12 is fitted into the recess formed by the indented portion 15.

The container 2 is provided with an outlet conduit 17, which outlet conduit 17 has an outlet end 18, which is fixed to the indentation 15 and which faces the mating side of the housing cover 12 when the mating side of the housing cover 12 is fitted into the recess.

The housing 3 is provided with a housing top surface 19, the housing top surface 19 being inclined toward the housing bottom surface 11 in a direction toward the recess formed by the indented portion 15 when the mating side of the housing cover 12 is fitted into the recess.

This inclined housing top surface 19 enables the housing 3 to be removed from the container 2 in such a way that the housing 3 is in the following position: i.e. the mating side and the housing bottom surface 11 are inclined away from the horizontal flat ground while the container bottom surface 6 remains parallel and flush with the horizontal flat ground, and the housing bottom surface 11 can still be supported by the horizontal flat ground at the side of the housing cover 12 opposite the mating side.

Therefore, when the housing 3 is removed from the container 2, neither the container 2 nor the housing 3 need to be completely lifted from the horizontal flat ground to place the housing 3 in the inclined posture.

Fig. 3 shows a modified filter device 1 according to the invention.

In this variant, the housing 3 is provided with one or more wheels 20 at the side of the housing cover 12 opposite to the mating side.

The one or more wheels 20 have a circumference that is tangential to the bottom surface 11 of the housing.

The one or more wheels 20 are also partially recessed into the side of the housing cover 12 opposite the mating side.

Fig. 4 shows a further variant of a filter device 1 according to the invention.

In this case, the modified filter device 1 includes two housings 3a, 3 b. Each of the two housings 3a, 3b contains at least one second filter element.

The second filter element contained in the first housing 3a may be made of a filter material similar to or different from that employed for the second filter element contained in the second housing 3 b.

The two housings 3a, 3b are provided with a connecting duct 21 configured to allow the liquid mixture to flow from the second filter element contained in the first housing 3a to the other second filter element contained in the second housing 3 b.

In this case, the connecting duct 21 is flexible and is detachably connected to the two housings 3a, 3 b.

Further, the housings 3a, 3b are provided with a grip portion 22 at the opposite side of the housing cover 12 from the fitting side.

The grip 22 may be a recessed grip 23.

Such a recessed grip 23 may be positioned closer to the housing top surface 19 than to the housing bottom surface 11. In this way, the housing 3 can be easily tilted onto its wheel or wheels 20 by pulling the housing 3a, 3b away from the container 2 by means of the recessed grip 23.

It is not excluded in the context of the present invention that the grip 22 is a protruding grip.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the filter device 1 of fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the filter device 1 of fig. 1, taken according to the line VI-VI in fig. 5.

In fig. 6, it is shown that the connecting means 16 fluidly connect the outlet of the first filter element 14 with the inlet of the second filter element in a removable manner when the mating side of the housing cover 12 is fitted into the recess formed by the indentation 15.

The connecting device 16 includes:

an outlet duct 17 of the container 2, the outlet duct 17 having an outlet end 18 fixed to the indentation 15 and facing the mating side of the housing cover 12 when the mating side of the housing cover 12 is fitted into the recess; and

an inlet duct 24 of the housing 3, the inlet duct 24 having an inlet end 25 fixed to and protruding from the mating side of the housing cover 12 and facing the outlet end 18 of the outlet duct 17 of the container 2 when the mating side of the housing cover 12 is fitted into the recess,

in this way, the outlet end 18 and the inlet end 25 are configured to be sealingly connected when the mating side of the housing cover 12 is fitted into the recess.

Fig. 7 shows the portion indicated by block F7 in fig. 6 in more detail.

An O-ring 26 is provided around the inlet end 25 of the inlet conduit 24 to provide a seal between the inlet conduit 24 and the internal passage 27 of the outlet conduit 17 at the outlet end 18.

The inlet end 25 is provided with a step 28 configured to receive the O-ring 26. Since O-ring 26 is received in step 28 of inlet end 25, when housing 3 is fitted into container 2, O-ring 26 is not erroneously displaced relative to inlet end 25 when inlet end 25 is pushed and fitted into internal passage 27 of outlet conduit 17, so that inlet end 25 is properly sealingly connected with internal passage 27 of outlet conduit 17 and the outlet of first filter element 14 is fluidly connected with the inlet of the second filter element.

As can also be seen in fig. 7, the internal passage 27 of the outlet duct 17 has an inwardly converging taper at the outlet end 18.

Fig. 8 shows a view of the filter device 1, showing the side of the vessel cover 7 opposite the recess formed by the setback 15. In other words, the housing 3 is rotated away from the viewing angle of the viewer.

In this case, the container 2 is provided with a discharge valve 29 on the opposite side of the cover 7 to the recess formed by the indentation 15 and close to the container bottom 6.

The discharge valve 29 allows to empty the liquid mixture from the container 2 during operation of the filtering device 1, but without having to lift or tilt the container 2, which may be heavy.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described as examples and shown in the drawings, but the filter device according to the invention can be realized in all kinds of forms or dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.