阅读说明：本技术 自清洁盘式过滤器装置 (Self-cleaning disc filter device ) 是由 乌里·奥克利 吉拉德·纳米亚斯 于 2019-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种过滤装置(100),该过滤装置具有过滤模式和自清洁模式,该装置被设置成用于在过滤模式期间利用第一流动方向用呈多个可堆叠盘的形式的过滤元件(20)过滤上游流动流体,装置(100)还被构造成对该过滤元件(20)进行自清洁,该装置(100)包括在过滤器壳体内部的内部流体转向器(110,210,310)。该内部流体转向器的位置确定通过过滤器壳体的流体流动的方向和过滤阶段。该内部流体转向器的位置由布置在过滤器壳体外部的控制器控制,该控制器可以手动或通过自动装置进行操纵。(A filter device (100) having a filter mode and a self-cleaning mode, the device being arranged for filtering upstream flowing fluid with a filter element (20) in the form of a plurality of stackable discs with a first flow direction during the filter mode, the device (100) further being configured to self-clean the filter element (20), the device (100) comprising an internal fluid diverter (110, 210, 310) inside a filter housing. The position of the internal fluid diverter determines the direction of fluid flow through the filter housing and the filtration stage. The position of the internal fluid diverter is controlled by a controller disposed outside the filter housing, which may be manipulated manually or by automated means.)

1. A filter device (100) having a filter mode and a self-cleaning mode, the device being arranged for filtering an upstream flowing fluid with a filter element (20) in the form of a plurality of stackable discs during a filtering mode with a first flow direction, the device (100) being further configured for self-cleaning the filter element (20) with the upstream flowing fluid during a self-cleaning mode with a second flow direction, the device (100) is enclosed within a housing (10), the device comprising an internal fluid diverter (110, 210, 310), a central main rod assembly (120, 220), and a piston assembly (130, 230), the internal fluid diverter for controlling flow through the housing, the central main rod assembly for housing the plurality of stackable disks, the piston assembly is used for controlling the configuration of the plurality of disc filters along the disc filter main rod;

a. the housing (10) comprises at least three openings to enable the first flow direction during a filtration mode and the second flow direction during a self-cleaning mode, the at least three openings comprising an inlet opening (12i) for receiving upstream unfiltered fluid, an outlet (12o) for receiving downstream filtered fluid, and a flushing outlet (14f) for removing filtered waste, wherein the flow between the openings through the housing (10) is controlled by the position of a fluid diverter (110, 210, 310) arranged inside the housing (10);

b. the main rod assembly (120) for maintaining the plurality of filter elements (20) in a stacked configuration during a filtration mode and in a unstacked configuration during a self-cleaning mode; the main rod assembly (120) having a first end (126) and a second end (122); the main rod assembly (120) being associated with the piston assembly (130) at the first end (126), the piston assembly having a closed configuration during a filtration mode and an open configuration during a self-cleaning mode; wherein the closed configuration of the piston assembly (130) is arranged to retain the filter elements (20) in a stacked formation along the length of the main rod (120) during filtration; and wherein the open configuration of the piston assembly (130) is arranged for unstacking the filter elements (20) during a self-cleaning mode to facilitate flushing of waste material through the flushing outlet (14 f); wherein the piston assembly (130) is actuated by a position of the fluid diverter;

c. the stem assembly (120) being associated at the second end (122) with the fluid diverter (110, 210, 310) provided in the form of a valve body, wherein the fluid diverter (110, 210, 310) is controlled by a controller (150) external to the housing; the fluid diverter (110, 210, 310) having two states for actuation between a filtration mode and a self-cleaning mode, the fluid diverter having a dedicated bore (116, 216, 316) in fluid communication with a peripheral channel (110c, 210c, 310c) used in the self-cleaning mode, the dedicated bore (116, 216, 316) configured to receive flowing fluid diverted to the peripheral channel (110c, 210c, 310c) and into a plurality of boom branches (124) of the boom assembly (120, 220c), wherein the boom branches (124) have apertures (124o) defined along a length of the boom branches, the apertures (124o) for ejecting fluid to clean the plurality of disc filters; and

d. a motor is used to control the controller (150) and to control the position of a fluid diverter (110, 210, 310), wherein the motor is provided in the form of a bi-directional motor coupled to the housing (10) along an upper portion (12) and functionally associated with the fluid diverter (110, 210, 310).

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the motor is a bi-directional fluid motor (160) configured to run on available upstream flowing fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bi-directional fluid motor (160) comprises:

a. a housing (161) adapted to be securely connected to an upper portion (12) of the filter housing (10);

b. the housing having at least two inflow ports (162) and at least one outflow port (164); wherein the first inlet provides fluid flow for clockwise rotation and the second inlet provides fluid flow for counterclockwise rotation;

c. a flow turbine module (166) configured for receiving the flow fluid from one of the at least two flow inlets (162); and

d. wherein the flow turbine module is functionally coupled with a fluid diverter adapter (170) that is functionally coupled with the internal fluid diverter to rotate the fluid diverter in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flow turbine module is functionally coupled with a gear and clutch module (168) arranged to amplify the power provided by the flow turbine module (166); wherein the gear and clutch module is functionally coupled with the fluid diverter adapter (170).

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least two inlets are in fluid communication with a controllable valve (156) to select an active one of the two inflow ports.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein a controller module (155) is provided for controlling the valve (156).

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flow turbine module (166) comprises a plurality of bi-directional turbine blades (165).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the bi-directional turbine blades (165) are provided in the form of curved members, the bi-directional turbine blades being connected back-to-back to each other to form two opposing curved surfaces, each curved surface being arranged for receiving a fluid flow from one of the at least two inlets (162).

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid diverter (310) has a substantially cylindrical body including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral surface, the cylindrical body having a substantially open central cavity;

a. the upper surface of the diverter is adapted to be firmly associated within the housing (10) at an upper portion (12) thereof; an upper surface of the diverter is disposed in association with a fluid diverter controller (150) disposed outside the housing;

b. a lower surface of the diverter is adapted to receive and be in fluid communication with the main rod assembly (120) at the second end (122); a lower surface of the diverter has a central opening in fluid communication with the open central cavity; the central opening is surrounded by a peripheral channel (310c) arranged along the periphery of the lower surface; the peripheral channel (310c) is configured to receive and securely couple with a stem assembly at the second end (122), wherein the central opening is configured to fluidly communicate and connect with a stem assembly lumen (120L); and wherein the peripheral channel (310c) is configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of stem branches (124) defining the stem assembly lumen (120L);

c. a peripheral surface of the diverter has an inflow port portion (312) defined along the surface and at least three apertures (314, 316, 318) extending from the peripheral surface, the at least three apertures including two open apertures (114, 116) and a pressure relief aperture (318);

i. the inflow port section (312) is configured opposite an inlet opening (12i) to enable flow of upstream unfiltered flow fluid into the filter housing (10), into the peripheral cavity (10L) during the filtration stage;

a first open aperture (314) is configured to align with and provide fluid communication between an outlet opening (12o) and the central opening defined on the lower surface of the diverter through the open central cavity, wherein, during the filtration phase, the first open aperture (314) receives the filtered flowing fluid and conveys the filtered flowing fluid out of the filter housing through the outlet opening (12 o);

a second open aperture (316) configured to provide fluid communication to the main rod branch (124) through the peripheral channel (310c), wherein the second open aperture (316) is utilized during self-cleaning to facilitate cleaning of a disc filter media (20), and;

a pressure relief bore (318) having an opening (318o) with a pressure relief piston assembly (320), wherein the piston assembly (320) is configured to equalize pressure between the first open bore (314) and the pressure relief bore (318) by opening or closing the opening (318 o).

10. The fluid diverter according to claim 9 wherein the second open aperture (116) is fitted with a removable mesh filter ring (22).

11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one sensor in the form of a pressure sensor or a flow sensor.

12. The device of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a visual indicator indicating a time to switch from the filtering mode to the self-cleaning mode.

13. A filter device (100) having a filter mode and a self-cleaning mode, the device being arranged for filtering an upstream flowing fluid with a filter element (20) in the form of a plurality of stackable discs during the filter mode with a first flow direction, the device (100) further being configured for self-cleaning the filter element (20) with the upstream flowing fluid during the self-cleaning mode with a second flow direction, the device (100) being enclosed within a housing (10) and comprising: an internal fluid diverter (310) for controlling flow through the housing, a central main rod assembly (120, 220) for housing the plurality of stackable disks, and a piston assembly (130, 230) for controlling the configuration of the plurality of disk filters along the disk filter main rods;

a. the housing (10) comprises at least three openings to enable the first flow direction during a filtration mode and the second flow direction during a self-cleaning mode, the at least three openings comprising an inlet opening (12i) for receiving upstream unfiltered fluid, an outlet (12o) for receiving downstream filtered fluid, and a flush outlet (14f) for removing filtered waste, wherein the flow through the housing (10) between the at least three openings is controlled by the position of the fluid diverter (310);

b. the central main rod assembly (120) for maintaining the plurality of filter elements (20) in a stacked configuration during the filtration mode and in a unstacked configuration during the self-cleaning mode; the main rod assembly (120) having a first end (126) and a second end (122);

c. the main rod assembly (120) being associated at a first end (126) with the piston assembly (130), the piston assembly having a closed configuration during a filtration mode and an open configuration during a self-cleaning mode; wherein the closed configuration of the piston assembly (130) is arranged to maintain the filter elements (20) in a stacked formation along the length of the main rod (120) during the filtration; and wherein the open configuration of the piston assembly (130) is arranged for unstacking the filter elements (20) during a self-cleaning mode to facilitate flushing of waste material through the flushing outlet (14 f); wherein the piston assembly (130) is actuated by a position of the fluid diverter (310);

d. the boom assembly (120) being associated at a second end (122) with the fluid diverter (310), the fluid diverter (310) being controlled by a controller (150) external to the housing; the fluid diverter (310) has two states for actuation between a filtration mode and a self-cleaning mode; the fluid diverter has a dedicated bore (316) in fluid communication with a peripheral channel (310c) used in a self-cleaning mode, the dedicated bore (316) configured to receive flowing fluid diverted to the peripheral channel (310c) and into a plurality of boom branches (124) of the boom assembly (120, 220c), wherein the boom branches (124) have apertures (124o) defined along a length of the boom branches, the apertures (124o) for ejecting fluid to clean the plurality of disc filters;

e. the fluid diverter (310) has a pressure relief bore (318) with an opening (318o) having a pressure relief piston assembly (320), wherein the piston assembly (320) is configured to equalize pressure between the first open bore (314) and the pressure relief bore (318) by opening or closing the opening (318 o).

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the fluid diverter (310) is manually controllable via a handle or lever (150L).

15. An internal fluid diverter (310) for a self-cleaning fluid filter device having a filtration stage and a cleaning stage, the fluid diverter (310) having a substantially cylindrical body including an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral surface, the cylindrical body having a substantially open central cavity,

a. said upper surface being adapted to be securely associated within a fluid filter housing (10); the upper surface is provided in association with a fluid diverter controller (150) arranged outside the fluid filter housing (10);

b. the lower surface adapted to receive and be in fluid communication with a main stem assembly (120) of the fluid filter device (10); the lower surface having a central opening in fluid communication with the open central cavity; the central opening is surrounded by a peripheral channel (310c) arranged along the periphery of the lower surface; the peripheral channel (310c) is configured to be in fluid communication with the main rod assembly (120);

c. the peripheral surface having a flow inlet portion (312) defined along the surface and at least three apertures (314, 316, 318) extending from the peripheral surface, the at least three apertures including an outlet aperture (314), a stem aperture (316), and a pressure relief aperture (318);

i. the inflow port section (312) is configured to receive a flow of upstream unfiltered flow fluid into the filter housing (10) interior during the filtration stage;

the outlet aperture (314) is configured to receive and deliver a flow of downstream filtered flowing fluid to the exterior of the filter housing (10) during the filtration stage;

the stem aperture (316) is in fluid communication with the peripheral channel (310c), wherein the stem aperture is configured to receive and divert fluid flow into the peripheral channel (310c) during the filter cleaning phase, the peripheral channel (310c) being disposed along the lower surface and in fluid communication with the stem assembly (120);

the pressure relief aperture (318) having an opening (318o) with a pressure relief piston assembly (320), wherein the pressure relief piston assembly (320) is configured to keep the opening (318o) at least partially open during the filtration phase and to keep the opening (318o) closed during the cleaning phase of the filter; wherein the pressure relief piston assembly (320) is arranged for maintaining pressure equalization between the outlet aperture (314) and the pressure relief aperture (118) by opening and/or closing the opening (318 o).

16. The apparatus of any of claims 9, 13, 14 and 15, wherein the pressure relief piston assembly (320) comprises: a housing (324), a spring (326), and a piston body (328);

a. wherein the housing (324) is configured to fit securely over the opening (318o) and to receive the piston body (328);

b. the spring (326) is disposed between the housing (324) and the piston body (328), and is configured to move the piston body (328) relative to the housing (324) to control an open or closed state of the opening (318 o); and

c. wherein the piston body has an outer end surface (328a) and an inner end surface (328 b);

i. wherein the inner end surface (328b) is configured to fit over and/or cover the opening (318o) to seal the opening (318 o); and

wherein the outer end surface (328a) is configured to be sensitive to a displacement force to enable movement of the piston body (328) relative to the housing (324) to cause displacement of the inner end surface (328) relative to the opening (318 o).

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the spring (326) has a biasing force, and wherein the displacement force must overcome the biasing force of the spring (326).

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the housing (324) is integral with the bore (318) over the opening (318 o).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a disc filter device, and more particularly to a filter device having self-cleaning capability.

Background

Annular disc filter elements are common items used in agricultural irrigation and industrial applications for filtering flowing fluids, primarily water. Agricultural uses of disc filtration devices are commonly used to prevent or filter out impurities that are carried by water to irrigation devices (e.g., sprinklers, micro-sprayers, and drip lines) that are developed in water conscious environments and used for water conscious irrigation.

The annular disc is highly efficient in its ability to filter particles in a fluid. The annular disc is slotted diagonally on both sides to a specific micrometer size. A series of annular discs are stacked and compressed on the primary stem. The compressed discs are placed within a housing to form an effective filter element such that when the discs are stacked, the troughs on the top of each disc oppose the troughs below the disc to create a filter system with a series of troughs and depressions for solid particles suspended in water.

When the stack of annular disc filters is full of debris due to the filtration process, cleaning and maintenance procedures on the filter disc elements are required. Cleaning operations for self-cleaning filters or reverse flow filters are known and are believed to reduce the frequency of disassembly of the filter and annular disc required, improve operation of the filter system and reduce labor costs, and save water during the disc cleaning operation.

However, such self-cleaning disc filtration systems are limited to large-scale agricultural systems, which require a plurality of filters interconnected and networked to each other to form dedicated piping to control the flow during the filtration and self-cleaning phases. Such systems further utilize a number of external controls and electronic valves to control the flow through the filter device to enable and automate the self-cleaning procedure. Furthermore, such self-cleaning disc filter systems require adjacent filter devices to provide a source of fluid to be utilized in the self-cleaning process.

U.S. patent nos. US7000782 and US7032760 to walton et al teach examples of a manually controlled backwashing filter apparatus which is limited to use with mesh filters.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the background art by providing a self-contained self-cleaning disc filter device that utilizes a flow diverter inside the filter device such that the internal flow diverter is used to control the direction of flow through the disc filter device to determine the device mode and/or phase (filtering phase or self-cleaning phase).

Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in a self-cleaning filter device in manual or automatic (motorized) form, wherein further saving of water in a manual filter device is facilitated.

In an embodiment, a filter arrangement according to the invention utilizes an internal flow diverter for self-cleaning by diverting the flow fluid source to control the direction of flow through the filter body. The flow direction of the flow source for cleaning can be diverted by the internal flow diverter according to the invention in any flow direction through the device housing, including for example forward flow and/or back flush flow (reverse flow).

Alternatively, the source of the flow fluid for cleaning may include, for example and without limitation, an upstream unfiltered flow fluid, an upstream filtered flow fluid, an upstream in-line filtered flow fluid, a downstream filtered flow fluid, an externally contained out-of-flow fluid source, and the like, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, the filter elements used in the apparatus and fluid diverter according to the present invention may be cleaned in a variety of alternative ways, including, for example and without limitation, fluid rinsing, backwashing, forward rinsing, fluid flow, fluid jet, brushing, suction, rotation, and the like, or any combination thereof.

In embodiments, the position of the flow redirector inside the filter device may be controlled by a controller external to the filter device. In some embodiments, the controller can be provided in the form of a handle. In some embodiments, flow through a bi-directional fluid motor may be controlled with an automated device, such as a motor, that is acted upon by a control module that includes a controller and valve assemblies.

Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a manual configuration or an automatic configuration, wherein the internal flow redirector is manually, semi-automatically, hydraulically, and/or electronically controlled.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a disc filter apparatus having a filter mode and a self-cleaning mode, the apparatus being arranged for filtering unfiltered flowing fluid with a filter element in a first flow direction, the filter element optionally being provided in the form of a plurality of stackable disc ring filters, the apparatus being configured to self-clean filtered waste and debris on the filter element by utilising a second flow direction, the apparatus being enclosed within a housing, the apparatus being configured to enable the first flow direction during the filter mode and the second flow direction during the self-cleaning mode, the housing comprising:

a central master rod assembly for holding the filter elements in a stacked configuration during filtration and in a unstacked configuration during self-cleaning; the main rod assembly has a first end and a second end; the main rod assembly is associated at a first end with a piston assembly having a compressed configuration during filtration and a decompressed configuration during self-cleaning; wherein the closed (compressed) configuration of the piston assembly is arranged to maintain the filter elements in a stacked formation along the length of the main rod during filtration; and wherein the open (decompressed) configuration of the piston assembly is arranged for de-stacking the filter elements and/or opening the filter elements during self-cleaning and for flushing filtered waste material out of the housing; wherein the piston assembly is configured to be actuated by the second flow direction;

the main rod assembly being associated at a second end with a fluid diverter in the form of a valve body, characterized in that the fluid diverter is arranged internally within the housing and is controlled externally of the housing; the fluid diverter has two states for actuation between a filtration mode with a first flow direction and a self-cleaning mode with a second flow direction.

Optionally, the housing comprises at least three openings to enable a first flow direction during the filtration mode and a second flow direction during the self-cleaning mode, the openings comprising a flush outlet, an inlet opening and an outlet, wherein flow through the housing is controlled by the position of the fluid diverter.

Most preferably, the first flow direction during filtration can be performed by: unfiltered flowing fluid is caused to flow from the inlet opening into a peripheral cavity within the housing and through the filter elements (optionally stacked from outer diameter to inner diameter) under upstream fluid pressure to produce filtered flowing fluid within the internal cavity defined by the primary stem assembly. The filtered fluid flows upwardly through a first open aperture in the fluid diverter and out to an outlet opening.

Most preferably, the second flow direction during self-cleaning is performed by: flowing fluid under pressure, either upstream unfiltered, upstream filtered or upstream in-line filtered, is caused to flow from the inlet opening through the fluid diverter via the second open aperture to a peripheral channel in fluid communication with the plurality of primary stem branches spanning the length of the central primary stem assembly. Preferably, the main stem branch comprises a plurality of outlet apertures which direct and spray the upstream flowing fluid towards the filter element to produce a cleaning effect, enabling flushing of debris and filtered waste material through the flushing outlet opening. Preferably, the outlet apertures directing and spraying the upstream flowing fluid are further used to directly clean the disc filter element and rotate the disc to create centrifugal forces that rotate the disc to improve cleaning.

Optionally, the fluid diverter has a substantially cylindrical body including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral surface, the cylindrical body having a substantially open central cavity:

alternatively, the upper surface of the diverter may be adapted to be securely associated within the housing at an upper portion of the housing; the upper surface may be provided in association with a fluid diverter control disposed outside the housing.

Optionally, the lower surface of the diverter is adapted to receive and be in fluid communication with the main rod assembly at the second end of the main rod assembly.

Preferably, the lower surface has a central opening that may be in fluid communication with an open central cavity. Preferably, the central opening is surrounded by a peripheral channel arranged along the periphery of the lower surface. Optionally and preferably, the peripheral channel is configured to receive and securely couple with the primary rod assembly at the second end of the primary rod assembly.

Most preferably, the central opening is configured to be in fluid communication with and connected to the main rod assembly lumen. Most preferably, the peripheral channel is configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of stem branches defining a stem assembly lumen.

Most preferably, the peripheral surface of the diverter has an inflow port portion defined along the surface and at least three apertures extending from the peripheral surface, the at least three apertures including two open apertures and one closed aperture.

Optionally, the flow inlet section may be configured opposite the inlet opening of the housing to enable flow of upstream unfiltered or filtered or in-line filtered flow fluid into the housing, into the peripheral cavity, most preferably for providing a first flow direction during filtration.

Optionally, the first open bore may be configured to align with and provide fluid communication between the outlet opening and a central opening defined on the lower surface of the diverter through an open central cavity, most preferably for providing a first flow direction during filtration.

Alternatively, the second opening aperture may be configured to align with the inlet opening of the housing and the main bar branch via a peripheral channel arranged along the lower surface of the diverter and to provide fluid communication between the inlet opening of the housing and the main bar branch via a peripheral channel arranged along the lower surface of the diverter, wherein for providing the second flow direction during self-cleaning.

Optionally, a closed hole may be configured to align with the outlet opening, the closed hole being arranged to seal the outlet opening, wherein loss of filtered downstream flowing fluid into the housing in case of the second flow direction during self-cleaning is prevented.

Optionally, the two open apertures of the fluid diverter are adjacent to each other.

Optionally, the two open apertures of the fluid diverter are spaced about 90 degrees apart.

Optionally, the second open aperture and the closed aperture of the fluid diverter are spaced about 180 degrees apart.

Optionally, the first open aperture and the closed aperture of the fluid diverter are spaced about 90 degrees apart.

Alternatively, the size of the open aperture may be adjustable.

Alternatively, the second open aperture may be semi-occluded or partially open.

Alternatively, the size of the second opening may be adjusted according to the pressure required to clean the filter element.

Alternatively, the size of the second opening may be adjusted according to the flow measured through the filter element.

Alternatively, the size of the second opening may be manually adjusted or automatically adjusted.

Alternatively, the flow inlet portion may be configured to span about half of the outer surface of the peripheral surface of the diverter.

Alternatively, the flow inlet portion may be configured to span an arc of about 180 degrees of the peripheral surface of the diverter.

Alternatively, the inflow port section may be disposed substantially opposite to the first open hole.

Alternatively, in the case of a first flow direction, the inflow port section may be aligned with the inlet opening and the first open aperture may be aligned with the outlet opening for filtering the unfiltered flowing fluid.

Optionally, during self-cleaning, in case of a second flow direction, the closed aperture of the fluid diverter may be aligned with the outlet opening and the second open aperture may be aligned with the inlet opening.

Alternatively, the upper surface of the fluid diverter may be securely fastened to the upper housing portion by threads.

Optionally, the housing may further comprise a fourth opening adapted to couple with a handle of the fluid diverter to manually control the position of the fluid diverter within the housing.

Alternatively, the housing may include an upper partial housing and a lower partial housing coupled to each other.

Alternatively, the fluid diverter may be manually controlled with a handle.

Alternatively, the fluid diverter may be electronically or hydraulically controlled. In some embodiments, the control of the internal fluid diverter is provided with a bi-directional motor coupled with the internal fluid diverter.

Optionally, the fluid diverter may be fitted with an in-line filter mesh and/or screen for in-line filtering of the upstream flow during the self-cleaning mode.

Alternatively, the fluid diverter may be associated with the primary rod assembly at the second end of the primary rod, wherein the second end of the primary rod may be securely associated within a channel groove surrounding a lower surface of the fluid diverter.

Alternatively, nozzle apertures disposed along the length of the main stem branches may be directed inwardly toward the filter element for directing fluid outwardly through the filter element to flush the filter element from an inner diameter edge toward an outer diameter edge of the filter element.

Optionally, the lower housing part comprises a plurality of coupling members arranged along an inner surface of the lower housing part, the coupling members being arranged for supporting and retaining the piston assembly within the lower housing part.

Optionally, the coupling member is an elongated protrusion having a length proportional to the movement of a compression spring and a compression plate disposed within the piston assembly.

Optionally, the coupling member is provided in the form of a male coupling member, and wherein the piston assembly comprises a corresponding female coupling member along the compression plate.

Optionally, the device filtration device may further comprise at least one sensor in the form of a pressure sensor or a flow sensor.

Optionally, the device filtration device may further comprise a visual indicator indicating when to switch from the filtration mode to the self-cleaning mode.

Alternatively, the flush outlet may be controlled by a dedicated flush valve. Alternatively, the flush valve may be internal to and/or incorporated within the filter device housing. Alternatively, the flush valve may be controlled by the position of the fluid diverter. Alternatively, the flush valve and diverted fluid may be controlled in unison.

Alternatively, the flush valve may be external to the filter device housing and may be controlled externally by means including, for example, but not limited to, manual, remote, electronic, hydraulic, automatic, flow sensor, pressure sensor, and the like, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, the flush valve and diverted fluid may be controlled in unison by the same external device.

Alternatively, the filter device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used as a stand-alone filter device. Alternatively, a filtering device according to an embodiment of the invention may be used in a filtering network comprising a plurality of filtering devices interconnected and/or networked together to form a set of filters.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a disc filter apparatus for filtering a flowing fluid, the disc filter apparatus comprising a housing having an open cavity, and the housing comprising an upper portion and a lower portion securely coupled to each other; wherein the housing has at least three openings to enable a controllable flow of a flowing fluid through the housing to provide at least two flow directions, a first flow direction for filtering and a second flow direction for self-cleaning; the three openings include an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a flush outlet opening; and wherein at least two flow directions are controlled by a flow diverter disposed within the upper housing;

wherein, within the open cavity, the housing comprises a plurality of disc filter elements stacked centrally and retained on a primary stem, wherein the primary stem and stacked filter elements define two concentric cavities within the open cavity of the housing, the two concentric cavities comprising a peripheral cavity defined between an inner surface of the housing and an outer edge of the stacked filter elements and an inner cavity defined by the inner surface of the primary stem and the stacked filter elements; wherein the peripheral chamber is positionable for receiving unfiltered upstream flowing fluid and the internal chamber is positionable for receiving filtered flowing fluid; such that, in a first flow direction, the flowing fluid flows from the peripheral cavity to the internal cavity, through the stacked filter elements; the main rod assembly having a plurality of main rod branches internal to the stacked disc filter elements, wherein the plurality of main rod branches are provided in the form of a hollow elongate tube having a plurality of nozzle apertures along the length of the tube, and wherein the main rod branches span between the second end of the main rod and the first end of the main rod along the length of the main rod; wherein the first end of the primary lever may be associated within the lower portion of the housing and the second end of the primary lever may be associated within the upper portion of the housing;

the first end of the main rod assembly may be associated with a piston assembly that may be disposed within the lower housing portion; the piston assembly includes a compression spring and a compression plate that may be in fluid communication with the base end of the primary rod assembly, the compression spring having sufficient tension to compress the compression plate and bear against the stacked filter elements along the length of the primary rod assembly from the first end of the primary rod toward the second end of the primary rod, wherein the stacked filter element configuration is maintained with the first flow direction;

the piston assembly is configured to release the stacked filter elements along a length of the main rod assembly in a second flow direction; wherein, in response to flowing fluid pressure generated within the main rod branch, the compression plate is retracted against the compression spring to resist the tension to release the stacked filter elements and relieve pressure on the stacked filter elements; wherein the spacing between the filter elements is opened to facilitate cleaning of the filter elements in the second flow direction such that filtered waste material can be flushed to exit the housing;

wherein the fluid diverter directs fluid through the housing cavity through the at least three openings while creating a first flow direction for filtering and a second flow direction for self-cleaning; the fluid diverter may be characterized by an interior portion disposed within an upper housing portion provided in the form of a valve body, the fluid diverter being in fluid communication with and controlling flow through the inlet opening, the outlet opening and the flush outlet opening at the second end of the main stem via the main stem branches;

wherein the fluid diverter is externally controllable by the housing; the diverter has a substantially cylindrical body including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral surface, the cylindrical body having a substantially open cavity; the upper surface of the diverter is adapted to be firmly associated with the upper housing part; the upper surface is configured to be associated with a fluid diverter control disposed outside the housing;

the lower surface of the steering gear is suitable for accommodating the second end part of the main rod and is firmly assembled with the second end part of the main rod; the lower surface having a central opening that may be surrounded by a peripheral channel disposed about a periphery of the lower surface; the passageway is configured to receive and securely couple with the second end of the primary stem, wherein the central opening may be configured to be in fluid communication with an internal cavity defined by the primary stem; and wherein the peripheral channel may be configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of main stem branches;

the peripheral surface of the diverter has at least two open apertures extending from the peripheral surface; the first open bore is configured to align with and provide fluid communication between the outlet opening and a central opening defined on the lower surface of the diverter; wherein a portion of the first flow path is provided such that filtered cleaning fluid can flow from the interior cavity to the outlet opening; the second open bore is configured to align with the inlet opening and the primary stem branch via a peripheral channel disposed along a lower surface of the diverter and provide fluid communication between the inlet opening and the primary stem branch via a peripheral channel disposed along the lower surface of the diverter, wherein a second flow path is provided for a second flow direction self-cleaning, wherein the second flow direction is usable to clean the stacked filter elements; wherein unfiltered upstream flow fluid from the inlet opening flows through the second open aperture toward the peripheral channel and to the main stem branch;

the peripheral surface of the diverter has at least one closed aperture extending from the peripheral surface, the closed aperture configured to align with the outlet opening; the closed aperture is arranged to seal the outlet opening, wherein loss of filtered downstream flowing fluid into the housing during the second flow path is prevented, wherein the second flow direction is enabled to be self-cleaning, wherein the second flow direction is usable for cleaning the stacked filter elements; and

the peripheral surface of the diverter has an inflow portion defined along its outer surface that is configured opposite the inlet opening to enable free flow of unfiltered flowing fluid into the housing with a first flow direction, wherein the unfiltered flowing fluid flows into the peripheral cavity for filtering by the stacked filter elements.

In the context of the present application, the term flowing fluid refers to any flowing fluid in the form of a liquid, a gas, a plasma, etc., that can be filtered from waste or impurities. Although reference to flowing fluids in the context of the present application generally refers to water in filtered or unfiltered form for use in irrigation and/or agricultural environments, the filtration device of the present invention is not limited to such agricultural and/or irrigation uses and may be used in any application or environment where filtering of flowing fluids is desired, including for example, but not limited to, domestic, potable water applications, water treatment, sewage treatment, wastewater, industrial uses, pool filters, and the like.

In the context of this application, the term upstream refers to the source or location of the unfiltered flowing fluid prior to filtration and use of the inventive device subject matter.

In the context of this application, the term downstream generally refers to the source or location of the filtered flowing fluid after filtration and use of the inventive device subject matter.

In the context of the present application, the term "orifice" may refer to any opening and/or hole configured to introduce a flowing fluid under pressure to produce a spray, stream or spray effect, and the shape of the orifice may take any profile, such as circular, oval, rectangular, slit, square, polygonal, and the like.

In the context of the present application, the terms annular disc filter or disc filter are used interchangeably to refer to an annular filter element that is capable of filtering water or other such flowing fluid as it passes through. The water is filtered as it passes through the troughs on the trays or between the trays. The configuration and/or shape of the disc and/or the slits on the disc may be any shape and may be, for example, circular, right triangular or any other shape.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof.

Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary self-cleaning filtration apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of an alternative configuration of a filtration apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A to 2D are schematic views of an exemplary self-cleaning device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic views of a core filter member of a self-cleaning apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of lower part components forming a self-cleaning device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views of upper part components forming a self-cleaning device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6H are schematic and alternate views of an internal flow diverter valve body of a self-cleaning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an alternative housing of an exemplary self-cleaning device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8C are schematic and alternate views of an internal flow diverter valve body of a self-cleaning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9C are schematic and alternate views of an alternate core filter element including an alternate boom assembly of a self-cleaning device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alternative compression adapter forming part of a piston assembly of a self-cleaning apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11A-11D are schematic views of alternative lower part components forming a self-cleaning device according to alternative embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams of an exemplary self-cleaning device utilizing a fluid motor to control an internal fluid diverter according to an embodiment of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

13A and 13B are various views of a schematic diagram of an exemplary bi-directional fluid motor for controlling an internal fluid diverter, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

14A and 14B are various views of a schematic view of a bi-directional turbine blade of a bi-directional fluid motor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

15A and 15B show schematic diagrams of a filter including an internal fluid diverter having a pressure stabilization assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

16A-16E illustrate schematic views of an internal fluid diverter having a pressure stabilization assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 17A to 17E show schematic views of a pressure stabilizing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

The following reference numerals are used throughout the specification to refer to similarly functioning components used throughout the following description.

10a filter housing; 12o downstream outlet opening;

10a dedicated opening; 14a lower housing;

10L peripheral lumen/; 14c a piston assembly coupling member;

12 an upper shell; 14f flushing the outlet opening;

12h, opening the handle; 20 stacked disc filter elements;

12i upstream inlet opening; 124o, 224o spray orifices;

22 an in-line mesh filter ring; 126. 226 a stem first end/stem base portion;

100. 102 a filter device; 226 an adapter housing;

110. 210, 310 fluid diverter/valve body; 128a, 228a main rod radial support member;

an open chamber of the 110L valve body; 128b, 228b main rod longitudinal support members;

the upper surface of the 110u valve body; 130. 230 a piston assembly;

110b lower surface of the valve body; 132. 232a compression plate;

a lower central opening of the 110o valve body; 232a compression plate;

110c peripheral channels; 232t thread;

110p the peripheral surface of the valve body; 134. 234 compressing the spring;

110t upper thread; 236 piston compression adaptor;

112. 212 flow inlet section/inlet aperture; 236a head portion;

114. 214 first/outlet aperture; 236b tail portion;

116. 216 second open/main rod bore; 140 a flush valve;

116s, 216s main stem hole sealing portions; 150 valve controller/regulator/switch;

116o, 216o stem aperture opening portions; 152 flow/pressure sensor;

118. 218 closed hole/outlet closed hole; 155 an automatic controller;

120. 220 a filter main rod assembly; 156 a fluid valve;

120c, 220c main rod connecting channels; 160 a fluid motor;

120L main rod lumen/inner lumen center; 161 a housing;

122. 222 a stem second end/stem top portion; 162. 162a, 162b motor inlet;

122c main trunk branch connectors; 164. 164a, 164b motor outlet;

124. 224 a main rod branch; a 166-flow turbine module;

312 flow inlet section/inlet bore; 165 turbine blades;

314 first open aperture/outlet open aperture; 168 gear and clutch module;

316 second open/main rod bore; 170 a fluid diverter coupling adapter;

316o main rod hole opening part; 310 a pressure relief fluid diverter;

318 pressure relief hole; 310c peripheral channels;

318c a coupling member; 324c a spring recess;

318o pressure relief opening; 324d securing the locking pin;

320 a pressure relief piston assembly; 324i (inner) distal end of the housing;

324a housing; 324o the (outer) proximal end of the housing;

324a outer surface; 326 springs;

324b inner surface; 326a spring body;

326c spring ends; 328a piston body;

328a outer end surface; 328b inner end surface;

328c a spring housing recess; 328d shell coupling fins;

328f a central body; 328e sealing the groove;

referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B show schematic block diagrams of alternative configurations of a self-cleaning filter device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A shows the device 100 with the flush valve 140 contained within the housing 10 such that the flush valve 140 may be internally controlled by the device 100.

FIG. 1B shows an alternative configuration of the device 100 shown in FIG. 1A in the form of a device 102, in which the flush valve 140 is external to the housing 10 and may be controlled externally manually, remotely, electronically, hydraulically, and/or automatically.

The filter devices 100,102 are configured to receive upstream flowing fluid within the housing 10, the housing 10 being equipped with one or more filter elements 20 for filtering the flowing fluid as it flows through the one or more filter elements 20. The filter device 100 is adapted to operate in at least two modes, a filtering mode and a self-cleaning mode.

Alternatively, the filter apparatus 100,102 may be used as a stand-alone filtering device. Alternatively, the filtration devices 100,102 may also be used in a filtration network and/or battery that includes a plurality of filtration devices 100,102, the plurality of filtration devices 100,102 being interconnected and/or networked together to form a set of filters.

The filtration mode utilizes a first flow direction through the device 100, as indicated by the black arrows, and the self-cleaning mode utilizes a second flow direction through the device 100 to clean accumulated debris on the one or more filter elements 20, as indicated by the white arrows.

The filter device 100 includes a housing 10 having an open cavity, the housing including a filter element 20 disposed on a main rod assembly 120, the filter element 20 being provided in the form of a plurality of annular disc filters arranged in a compressed stack along the length of the main rod assembly 120. Embodiments of the present invention provide for stacking (compressing) and de-stacking (decompressing) a plurality of annular disc filters 20 along the length of the primary rod assembly 120.

Preferably, the filter element 20 and the primary rod assembly 120 are centered within the cavity of the housing 10 and are configured to maximize the filtration volume available within the internal cavity of the housing 10. Optionally and preferably, the main rod assembly and the filter element 20 divide the housing 10 into two concentric chambers, an outer chamber 10L and an inner chamber 120L. Most preferably, the outer chamber 10L is for receiving unfiltered flowing fluid and the inner chamber 120L is for receiving filtered flowing fluid.

The housing 10 includes two portions, an upper housing portion 12 and a lower housing portion 14, which may be coupled to one another and securely sealed to form the housing 10. The upper and lower housing portions 12, 14 of the housing may be coupled to one another by alternative coupling means known in the art, including, for example, mating threads on the outer clamping ring, nuts and bolts, snaps, male-female connection members, any combination thereof, and the like.

The stem assembly 120 and the filter element 20 may span the upper housing portion 12 and the lower housing portion 14. Preferably, the length of the main rod assembly 120 is maximized to fit within an internal cavity formed within the housing 10.

The housing 10 comprises at least three openings arranged to enable a first flow direction during filtration and a second flow direction during self-cleaning. Alternatively, the at least three openings can be distributed on the housing 10 on the upper and lower portion housings 12, 14 in any combination or manner. Preferably, the at least three openings include an inlet opening 12i, an outlet opening 12o and a flushing outlet opening 14 f.

Optionally, the housing 10 may be equipped with a fourth opening for associating the valve controller 150 with the housing 10, optionally and preferably associating the valve controller 150 with the upper housing portion 12. Most preferably, the valve controller 150 is disposed outside the housing 10 and is configured to control the position of the fluid diverter 110 disposed inside the housing 10.

In an embodiment, the valve controller 150 can be provided in the form of a bi-directional fluid motor 160, as shown in fig. 12-14. The bi-directional fluid motor 160 utilizes the directional upstream water flow to control the position of the internal fluid diverter 110, and thus the stage of the filter 100.

Alternatively, the valve controller 150 may be controlled to change between different positions of the diverter 110 by rotational movement for manually rotating the controller 150, wherein the control changes between the directions of fluid flow.

Alternatively, the valve controller 150 may be controlled by linear manual manipulation, wherein the controller 150 is provided in the form of a rod that can be raised and lowered to switch the direction of fluid flow through the housing 10 and preferably through the diverter 110, for example, as shown in fig. 3C.

An example of a valve controller 150 in the form of a manual lever 150L is shown in fig. 3C. Optionally, the linear lever 150L moves the fluid diverter 110 up and down so that flowing fluid through the diverter 110 can be diverted to flow from the inlet bore (112 not shown) to the bore 116 (main rod bore) so that the flow is diverted into the channel 110c while simultaneously releasing and/or unstacking the disc filter elements (not shown in this view) disposed along the main rod 120. Preferably, the reverse movement of the stem 150L enables stacking of the disc filter elements 20 along the primary stem 120, while enabling upstream flowing fluid to be diverted into the housing 10 by the diverter 110 for filtering on the stacked disc filters.

Thus, fig. 3C shows an alternative representation of a controller 150 in the form of a rod 150L that can be used to simultaneously control the flow of upstream flowing fluid through the diverter 110, as well as to stack (compress) or unstack (release) disc filters along the main rod 120. Optionally, the lever 150L may further be used simultaneously to open or close the flushing opening 14f during the self-cleaning or filtering mode, respectively.

Alternatively, the valve controller 150 may be controlled by an automated device (e.g., by a mechanical valve, an electronic valve, a hydraulic valve, etc.).

Optionally, the housing 10 may be provided with an optional dedicated opening, for example for associating the housing 10 with an external fluid source for introducing the external fluid source into the housing 10. Alternatively, such an external fluid source may be a container comprising at least one or more of reagents, flowing fluids, additives, detergents, filtering additives, cleaning fluids, detergents, and the like, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, the housing 10 may be provided with further optional dedicated openings, such as the openings 10a, 12 h. Alternatively, the opening 10a may be disposed around the upper portion 12 or the lower portion 14.

Preferably, an optional dedicated opening 10a provides for placement and replacement of an integrated in-line circular mesh filter ring 22, as shown, for example, in fig. 7. Optionally, a circular mesh filter ring 22 may be associated with the apertures 116 on the fluid diverter 110 to provide coarse filtration of the upstream flowing fluid utilized during self-cleaning, with a second flow direction. Preferably, the opening 10a is used to access and/or replace and/or maintain the in-line filter ring 22, for example, as shown in fig. 8C. Preferably, the opening 10a is capped and/or sealed during use of the filter, and may be uncapped and/or unsealed for the purpose of servicing the ring 22 only when the filter is not in use.

The optional dedicated opening l2h may be used in association with and/or in conjunction with an assist handle or manual manipulator used to control a portion and/or internal components of the device 100. For example, such a dedicated, optional opening may be used in conjunction with a rotating handle configured for manual rotation of at least one or both of the main rod assembly 120 and/or the filter element 20.

Preferably, the first flow direction is filtered by: enabling an upstream flow of unfiltered flowing fluid from an upstream source to flow into the housing 10 through the inlet opening 12i and enabling filtered flowing fluid to exit the housing 10 through the outlet opening 12 o.

During the first flow direction and filtration, an upstream flow of unfiltered flowing fluid is received into the housing 10 through the inlet 12i and flows into the peripheral chamber 10L. Due to the increase in fluid pressure within the housing 10, the unfiltered flowing fluid is thereafter forced to flow from the peripheral chamber 10L, through the filter element 20 associated with the primary stem assembly 120, and into the internal chamber 120L, thereby filtering the flowing fluid therein. Preferably, during this process, debris and waste are captured along the filter element 20 so that the now filtered fluid can enter the interior cavity 120L.

During self-cleaning, the second flow direction is performed by: such that flowing fluid (preferably from an upstream source and optionally from an external fluid source) can flow into the housing 10 through the inlet 12i and be directed into the main rod assembly 120 (particularly the main rod branch 124), and flow out of the housing 10 through the flush outlet opening 14f, such that debris and filtered waste can be flushed from the filter element 20. Most preferably, the main stem branch 124 is provided in the form of a hollow elongated tube having a plurality of nozzle orifices 124o along the length of the tube, wherein flowing fluid is enabled to flow therethrough.

To facilitate flow in both directions, the filter device 100 comprises a fluid diverter 110 arranged inside the housing 10, most preferably inside the upper housing part 12. The fluid diverter 110 is provided in the form of a valve body. Alternatively, the fluid diverter 110 can be provided in the form of a two-way valve body. More preferably, the fluid diverter 110 is provided in the form of a three-way valve body. Alternatively, the fluid diverter 110 can be provided in the form of a four-way valve body. Alternatively, the fluid diverter 110 can be provided in the form of a multi-port valve body having at least two ports around the valve body, and most preferably, at least three or more ports are available in the valve body.

Most preferably, the fluid diverter 110 is used to divert the flow direction between a first flow direction and a second flow direction. Wherein the diverter 110 is used to switch and determine the direction of flow within the filter device 100.

Optionally, the fluid diverter 110 may be fitted with an in-line filter mesh ring 22 and/or screen, for example, as shown in fig. 8C, for in-line filtering of the upstream fluid used during the self-cleaning mode. Optionally, the in-line filter mesh may be securely associated and/or coupled to the fluid diverter holes and/or openings used during the self-cleaning mode with the second flow direction. Optionally, the in-line filter mesh may be associated with the fluid diverter 110 at any point along the path of the second flow direction in use during the self-cleaning mode.

Fluid diverter 110 is associated with and/or in fluid communication with outlet 12o, inlet 12i, and stem assembly 120, and in particular stem branch 124. Optionally and preferably, fluid diverter 110 may most preferably be indirectly associated with flush outlet opening 14f through stem assembly 120 (particularly through stem branch 124) and in fluid communication with flush outlet opening 14 f.

Most preferably, the flush outlet opening 14f is arranged around the lower partial housing 14. Preferably, the flush outlet opening 14f is controlled by a flush valve 140. Optionally, the flush valve 140 may be provided as a valve integrated within the housing 10, and optionally and preferably, directly or indirectly associated with the fluid diverter 110, for example, as shown in fig. 1A.

Alternatively, the flush valve 140 may be provided as a valve external to the housing 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, the external flush valve 140 may be a manually operated valve or a remotely controllable valve, including, but not limited to, for example, a hydraulic valve, an electronic valve, an automatic valve, a piezoelectric valve, a flapper valve, or the like as is known in the art. Alternatively, the remotely controllable flush valve 140 may be controlled by the controller 155.

Optionally and more preferably, the flush valve 140 may be seamlessly opened when the device 100 is in the self-cleaning mode with the second flow direction and seamlessly closed when the device is in the filtration mode with the first flow direction, as shown by the position of the fluid diverter 110.

Alternatively, the flush valve 140 may be associated and/or integrated with the fluid diverter 110 and its external controller 150, either directly or indirectly, for example, via the stem assembly 120. For example, manipulation of the controller 150 may simultaneously cause repositioning of the fluid diverter 110 within the housing 10 and movement (e.g., rotation) of at least one stem assembly member (e.g., the stem base 126), which in turn is directly associated with the flush valve 140, thereby causing the flush opening 14f to change position from one position to another, i.e., open to closed or closed to open.

Alternatively, the flush valve 140 may change position from one position to another, i.e., open to closed or closed to open, by being associated with a piston assembly 130 that may be associated with the main rod assembly 120. Alternatively, the state of the piston assembly 130 may be used to control the flush outlet opening 14f by association with the flush valve 140. Alternatively, the flush valve 140 and the flush opening 14f may be in a closed position when the piston assembly 130 is in the compressed mode, and the flush valve 140 and the flush opening 14f may be in an open position when the piston assembly 130 is in the uncompressed mode.

Preferably, the device 100 includes a piston assembly 130 that can be controlled directly or indirectly by the positioning of the fluid diverter 110. For example, the piston assembly 130 may be controlled by varying fluid pressure within the housing 10 with a first flow direction and a second flow direction. More preferably, a piston assembly 130 is associated with the main rod assembly 120. Most preferably, the piston assembly 130 is controlled to be normally closed (compressed) during filtration and open (decompressed, released) during cleaning. Most preferably, assembly 130 is decompressed as fluid enters boom assembly 120 around boom branch 124, which indicates a self-cleaning flow direction through aperture 124 o.

Optionally and more preferably, the piston assembly 130 includes a compression plate 132 and a compression spring 134 that function to hold the filter element 20, provided in the form of a plurality of stacked annular disc filters, in a compressed and/or stacked configuration along the main rod assembly 120 during a filtration mode. The piston assembly 130 further provides a stacked configuration that releases the disc ring filter element 20 during the cleaning mode so that the disc element separates and freely rotates to enable flushing and cleaning of filtered waste material on the element.

Fig. 1A and 1B illustrate alternative configurations of the devices 100,102, with dashed leads, for example, illustrating that alternative sensors and/or controllers may be mated with and/or associated with the device 100. The apparatus 100 may be used without any such sensors and/or controllers shown in phantom.

Optionally, the apparatus 100 may be mated to and/or associated with at least one or more sensors, including, for example, but not limited to, a flow meter and/or a pressure sensor, among others. Optionally, the housing 10 may be fitted with and/or associated with at least one or more sensors 152, for example in the form of pressure sensors, flow meters or the like, arranged to measure at least one or more of pressure, flow rate, fluid pressure within the housing 10. Optionally, the housing 10 may be associated with at least two or more sensors 152 distributed around the housing 10. Optionally, a first sensor, for example in the form of a flow meter 152 and/or a pressure sensor, may be associated with the inlet 12i and a second flow meter and/or pressure sensor 152 may be associated with the outlet 12 o.

Optionally, the filter device 100 may be associated with a controller and/or microprocessor 155 or similar electronic and/or computerized means for remotely and/or wirelessly and/or electronically and/or automatically and/or hydraulically controlling the state and position of the valve body 110 by means of a valve controller 150 arranged outside the housing 10. Alternatively, the valve controller 150 can be provided in the form of a motor, such as a servo motor, water motor 160, or similar valve actuation device as known in the art, including, for example, but not limited to, hydraulic, piezoelectric, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 155 may be configured to control the flow through the bi-directional fluid motor 160 to control the direction of flow through the motor 160. Optionally and preferably, the controller 155 may be further functionally associated with controlling the at least one or more valves 156 to control the direction of flow through the fluid motor 160.

Alternatively, control of controller 155 may be facilitated by a computer, Personal Data Assistant (PDA), smartphone, mobile communication device, mobile processing device, server, or the like, with alternative communication means, including, for example, but not limited to, wired, wireless, cellular, optical, acoustic, ultrasonic, radio frequency, contactless, Near Field (NFC), any combination thereof, or the like.

The following description, referring collectively to the embodiments shown in fig. 2-6, illustrates various views of a filter apparatus 100 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A-2D provide various views of the device 100. Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of the assembled self-cleaning device 100, providing an exterior view of the two-part housing 10, illustrating how the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 14 may be coupled and/or associated with each other.

Fig. 2A further illustrates the housing 10 having an optional four opening configuration, including three standard opening inlet openings 12i, outlet openings 12o, flush outlet opening 14f, and an additional optional handle opening 12 h. Optionally and preferably, the handle opening 12h is provided to enable the valve controller 150 outside the housing 10 to communicate with the fluid diverter 110 disposed inside the housing 10 and to enable the valve controller 150 outside the housing 10 to control the position of the fluid diverter 110 disposed inside the housing 10.

Fig. 2A further illustrates an alternative location on the housing 10, and in particular on the upper portion 12, wherein optionally flow and/or pressure sensors may be associated with the device 10, for example around the inlet 12i and outlet 12 o.

Fig. 2B and 2C provide perspective views of the device 100 illustrating various components that may be included in the device 100, with fig. 2B showing a perspective view and fig. 2C showing a side view. Fig. 2B and 2C illustrate an apparatus 100 that includes a fluid diverter 110, a stem assembly 120, a piston assembly 130, a flush valve 140, and a fluid diverter controller 150.

As shown, the piston assembly 130 is disposed within the lower housing portion 14 above the flush outlet opening 14f and is associated with the lower housing 14 with a plurality of piston assembly coupling members 14 c. The coupling member 14c is provided to center the piston assembly within the lower housing 14. The coupling member 14c further provides proper vertical positioning for the piston assembly 130 to provide sufficient space for the vertical movement of the piston assembly 130 required to compress and decompress a plurality of disc filter elements 20 (not shown here) that may be stacked along the length of the main rod assembly 120. Optionally and preferably, the coupling member 14c further acts as a guide member and/or a railing and/or a stop and/or a track to associate (track) with the compression plate 132 and guide the compression plate 132 during vertical movement of the compression plate 132.

Fig. 2B and 2C further illustrate the association and coupling between the piston assembly 130 and the stem assembly 120 along the stem base portion 126 and the association and coupling between the stem assembly and the fluid diverter 110 at the stem top portion 122.

Most preferably, the stem assembly is centered within the open cavity of the housing 10, most preferably the stem assembly serves to divide the open cavity of the housing 10 into a peripheral cavity 10L and an internal cavity 120L. As previously mentioned, most preferably, such separation aids in filtering the flowing fluid.

Fig. 2D provides an exploded view of the view shown in fig. 2A of the device 100, clearly illustrating the components associated with and forming the filter device 100 as previously described. Fig. 2D provides a view of the various portions of the stem assembly 120, including the base end 126 adapted to be associated and coupled with the piston assembly 130 and the top end 122 adapted to be associated and coupled with the fluid diverter 110. The stem assembly 120 further includes a plurality of stem branches 124, radial support members 128a, and longitudinal support members 128b distributed between the top portion 122 and the base portion 126. As shown, most preferably, the main stem branch 124 is preferably provided with a cleaning spray aperture 124o that is arranged to spray flowing fluid under pressure towards the filter element 20 to clean the same. Most preferably, during self-cleaning and when the filter element 20 is provided in the form of a plurality of annular disc filter elements unstacked along the length of the primary rod assembly 120, the flowing fluid sprayed from the plurality of apertures 124o arranged around the length of the primary rod branches 124 rotates the annular disc filter elements while cleaning the filter elements outwardly toward the inner surface of the housing 10.

Fig. 3A and 3B show schematic views of the core filter component assembled within the housing 10 of the self-cleaning device 100, the housing 10 including the upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 having been removed. Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate the core components comprising the valve controller 150, the fluid diverter 110, the main rod assembly 120, the filter element 20, the piston assembly 130, and the flush valve 140. Fig. 3A shows the core component with the filter element 20, while in fig. 3B, the filter element 20 has been removed to expose the primary stem assembly 120.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembled lower portion of the filter apparatus 100, which includes the lower housing 14, the filter element 20, the main rod assembly 120, and the piston assembly 130. Fig. 4A provides an illustration of the inner cavity 120L and the peripheral cavity 10L formed through the filter element and the primary stem assembly 120 at the lower portion of the apparatus 100 defined by the lower housing 14.

Fig. 4B provides an enlarged schematic view of the piston assembly 130, showing the compression plate 132 and compression springs used to compress and retain the filter element 20 provided in the form of a plurality of annular disc filter elements in a compressed state, forming a stacked configuration around the main rod assembly 120.

Fig. 5A shows a perspective view of a schematic, pictorial illustration of the upper portion of the assembled filter apparatus 100, which includes the upper housing 12, the fluid diverter 110, the valve handle 150, the main stem assembly 120, and the filter element 20. Fig. 5A provides an illustration of the inner cavity 120L and the peripheral cavity 10L formed through the filter element and the primary stem assembly 120 at the upper portion of the apparatus 100 defined by the upper housing 10.

Fig. 5B provides a cross-sectional view through the fluid diverter 110, showing a continuous lumen 120L formed from the primary stem assembly 120 through to the outlet 12 o. The continuous lumen 120L provides a continuous flow of filtered flowing fluid from the lumen 120L to the outlet opening 12o and ultimately to the downstream target location.

Fig. 6A-6H illustrate various views of a fluid diverter 110 in the form of a three-way valve body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fluid diverter is characterized in that it is arranged inside the housing 10, inside the upper part 12 and serves to control the direction of fluid flow through the filter device 100 in the case of a first flow direction during filtration and in the case of a second flow direction during self-cleaning. The fluid diverter 110 is configured to provide self-cleaning with unfiltered flowing fluid therein from an upstream source to conserve energy used in the filtering and cleaning processes. Most preferably, the fluid diverter 110 is configured to maintain the outlet 10o in the closed position throughout the self-cleaning process therein to ensure that filtered flowing fluid is not wasted during the self-cleaning process.

The configuration of the fluid diverter according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art self-cleaning filtration devices because the fluid diverter does not utilize downstream filtered flowing fluid for filter cleaning operations, thus saving the water consumption required during self-cleaning operations. Self-cleaning filter devices according to the prior art utilize a plurality of flow control valves arranged outside the filter assembly to enable proper control of the flowing fluid for the self-cleaning function. Such prior art external valves are expensive to operate and maintain energy consumption in a self-cleaning operation. Furthermore, by utilizing the filtered downstream flowing fluid for the self-cleaning step, prior art self-cleaning filtration devices waste both the cleaning of the filtered flowing fluid with backwash and the energy expended in the filtered upstream flowing fluid.

Optionally, the configuration of the fluid diverter 110 and any portion thereof may be configured relative to and/or according to optional parameters associated with facilitating the filtration process. Such optional parameters may include, for example, but are not limited to, pressure, upstream flow rate, type of flowing fluid being filtered, properties of the flowing fluid, viscosity of the flowing fluid, dimensions of the device 100, dimensions of the housing 10, type of flush valve 140, timing of the piston assembly 130, any combination thereof, and the like.

Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of the fluid diverter 110 coupled to the valve control handle 150, wherein the fluid diverter 110 is disposed inside the housing 10 and the handle 150 is disposed outside the housing 10 through the optional handle opening 12h, as previously described. Most preferably, the handle 150 is configured to rotate the fluid diverter 110 to control the flow through the fluid diverter.

As shown, optionally and preferably, the diverter 110 is a substantially cylindrical valve body having an upper surface 110u, a lower surface 110b, and a peripheral surface 110 s. Most preferably, the cylindrical body has a substantially open central lumen 110L.

The upper surface 110u of the diverter may be adapted to be securely associated within the housing 10 at an upper portion of the housing 10 (e.g., around the upper housing 12), such as by threads 110t, as shown in fig. 6B. Most preferably, the upper surface 110u is provided in association with a fluid diverter control 150, such as in the form of a handle as shown in fig. 6A, optionally and preferably disposed outside the housing 10.

Fig. 6C and 6D illustrate the lower surface 110b of the diverter, which is adapted to receive the stem assembly 120 at the base end 122 of the stem assembly 120 and to securely assemble with the stem assembly 120. Lower surface 110b has a central opening 110o that is in fluid communication with open central cavity 110L. Preferably, the central opening 110o is surrounded by a peripheral channel 110c arranged along the periphery of the lower surface 110 b. Preferably, the peripheral channel 110c is configured to receive the stem assembly 120 at the second end 122 and securely couple with the stem assembly 120. Optionally and preferably, the central opening 110o is configured to be in fluid communication and connected (continuous) with the lumen 120L. The peripheral channel 120c is configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of stem branches 124 defining a stem assembly lumen 120L for introducing a flowing fluid into the stem branches 124 that may flow out of the orifice 124 o.

Fig. 6E-6H illustrate a peripheral surface 110p of the diverter, including a flow inlet portion 112 defined along the surface 110p and at least three apertures extending from the peripheral surface 110p, including two open apertures 116, 114 and one closed aperture 118.

Preferably, the flow inlet portion 112 is configured opposite the inlet opening 12i to enable a flow of unfiltered flowing fluid into the housing 10, preferably into the peripheral cavity 10L, wherein for providing a start of the first flow direction during filtration. Fig. 6E shows a dashed guide line that outlines the area available for the inlet portion 112 when upstream flowing fluid enters the housing 10. The dashed guide lines indicate that a majority of the diverter 110 is allocated to the inlet portion 112, e.g., up to about 50% of the surface of the peripheral surface 110p is allocated for the inlet portion 112.

Preferably, the first open aperture 114 along the surface 110p is configured to align with the outlet opening 12o and the central opening 110o defined on the lower surface 110b of the diverter through the open central cavity 110L and to provide fluid communication between the outlet opening 12o and the central opening 110o defined on the lower surface 110b of the diverter through the open central cavity 110L, wherein the first flow direction end is for providing a first flow direction end during filtration that enables filtered flow fluid to exit the housing 10 through the outlet 12 o. The holes 114 are open only during the filtration in the case of the first flow direction and are sealed during the entire self-cleaning process.

Preferably, the second open bore 116 is configured to align with the inlet opening 12i and the stem branch 124 through a peripheral channel 110c disposed along the diverter's lower surface 110b, and is configured to provide fluid communication between the inlet opening 12i and the stem branch 124 through the peripheral channel 110c disposed along the diverter's lower surface 110 b. Preferably, this configuration serves to provide for the start of the second flow direction during self-cleaning and enables the piston assembly 130 to decompress and optionally the flush outlet opening 14f and the flush valve 140 to open.

Alternatively, the flush outlet opening 14f and flush valve 140 may be opened and closed manually or automatically, as previously described. Optionally, moving diverter 110 into self-cleaning mode by associating aperture 116 with inlet 12i may also direct the mechanical movement or hydraulic opening of flush valve 140 and flush outlet opening 14f, as previously described.

Alternatively, after the diverter 110 is set to the self-cleaning mode by manipulating the aperture 116 onto the inlet 12i, the user may manually open the flush valve 140 to initiate the self-cleaning process.

Preferably, the self-cleaning mode enables the piston assembly 130 to decompress when pressure is built up downward through the main rod branch 124, thereby pushing down on the compression plate 132 and enabling the spring 134 to decompress, when the self-cleaning mode is activated by manipulating the aperture 116 onto the inlet 12 i.

As shown in fig. 6F, the hole 116 is a partially open hole having an opening portion 116o and a sealing portion 116 s. An open portion 116o is in fluid communication with the peripheral channel 110c and is configured to enable upstream flow fluid to flow into the channel 110c and into the cavity of the main stem branch 124 and out of the orifice 124 o. The sealing portion 116s is configured to quickly stop the self-cleaning process to ensure sufficient recovery time when switching the mode from the self-cleaning mode back to the filtration mode, so that the device 110 can start the filtration process only after the flushing opening 14f and the flush valve 140 are closed and the piston assembly 130 is recompressed.

Optionally and preferably, the relative sizes, dimensions and shapes of the open portion 116o and the sealing portion 116s of the aperture 116 may be configured relative to and/or according to optional parameters associated with the filtration process. Such optional parameters may include, for example, but are not limited to, pressure, upstream flow rate, type of flowing fluid being filtered, properties of the flowing fluid, viscosity of the flowing fluid, dimensions of the device 100, dimensions of the housing 10, type of flush valve 140, timing of the piston assembly 130, any combination thereof, and the like.

Optionally, the relative size and/or area of the opening portion 116o relative to the sealing portion 116s may be remotely controlled, for example, with a controllable shield disposed about the sealing portion 116s, which may optionally be controlled by an optional controller 155 optionally associated with the apparatus 110, as shown in fig. 1A-1B. Optionally, the shield disposed about the sealing portion 116s may be manually controlled, for example, by a control handle 150 or by an optional member associated with the handle 150.

Fig. 6G and 6H show the closed aperture 118 configured to align with the outlet opening 12 o. The closed hole 118 serves to seal the outlet opening 12o, wherein loss of downstream filtered flowing fluid is prevented and quality of downstream filtered flowing fluid is ensured during the self-cleaning mode. Thus, sealing the outlet 12o with the aperture 118 allows the upstream flowing fluid to re-flow into the housing; wherein a second flow direction is provided during self-cleaning. As shown in fig. 6G and 6H, the size of the open aperture 114 and the closed aperture 118 are controlled to be about 25% of the size of the diverter 110, with a majority of the sealed portion associated with the aperture 118, which is positioned to ensure the quality of the filtered fluid downstream.

Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate an alternative embodiment of a fluid diverter according to the present invention, showing various views of the fluid diverter 210. The diverter 210 is similar to the diverter 110 described and illustrated in fig. 6A-6H, the diverter 210 being characterized by the bore 216 being configured with concentric open portions 216o and seal portions 216 s. An open portion 216o is in fluid communication with the peripheral channel 210c and is configured to enable upstream flow fluid to flow into the channel 210c and into the cavity of the main stem branches 124, 224 and out of the orifices 124o, 224 o. Most preferably, the apertures 216 are configured to receive the annular mesh filter 22, as shown in FIG. 8C. Preferably, the mesh filter ring 22 is configured to securely associate with the sealing portion 216 s. The mesh filter ring 22 is configured to filter upstream flow fluid flowing through the filter main rod assembly 120, 220 (particularly the main rod branches 124, 224) during the self-cleaning mode. Fig. 8A shows a perspective view and fig. 8B shows a cross-sectional view to illustrate the passage from opening 216o towards channel 210 c.

Referring now to fig. 15-17, collectively, these figures illustrate an embodiment of a fluid diverter 310 that functions similarly to the fluid diverters 110, 210 described above. Thus, the fluid diverter 310 has similar structural and body features as previously described and is coupled and/or associated with all filter assembly portions, including, for example and without limitation, a main rod assembly, a controller, a flush valve assembly, a filter housing, as previously described. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, conciseness, and ease of understanding, only the differences from the previously described fluid diverter are specifically described below in connection with the fluid diverter 310. For example, the holes of all fluid diverters are similarly numbered, including inlet holes 312 similar to inlet holes 112 and 212, outlet holes 314 compared to outlet holes 114, 214, and primary stem holes 316 compared to holes 116, 216 as previously described, and the peripheral channel 310c functions in the same manner and form as described with respect to peripheral channels 110c, 210 c.

The fluid diverter 310 is characterized as being a pressure relief fluid diverter having a pressure relief piston assembly 320. A pressure relief piston assembly 320 is disposed along the pressure relief bore 318, which is located similarly to the bores 218, 118 as previously described.

Fig. 15A illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the filter assembly 100,102 showing the internal pressure relief fluid diverter 310 with the pressure relief piston assembly 320.

In some embodiments, the fluid diverter 310 may be controlled by a manual valve controller 150, for example in the form of a handle as shown in fig. 15A. As previously described, the valve controller 150 is used to rotate the fluid diverter 310 to control the relative position of the diverter 310 within the filter housing.

In some embodiments, the fluid diverter 310 may be controlled by an automated controller 155, for example in the form of a motor and/or fluid motor 160 as shown and described in fig. 12-14.

As previously described, the valve controllers 150, 155 are used to rotate the fluid diverter 310 internally within the filter housing and thereby control the various states and/or stages of the filter housing. Alternatively, the controller 150 can be provided in the form of an optional handle and/or the automatic controller 155 can be provided, for example, in the form of a fluid motor 160.

Fig. 16A-16E illustrate different front views of the pressure relief fluid diverter 310, each front view illustrating a different aperture and/or face of the diverter 310. Fig. 16A shows a front view of the pressure relief hole 318 with the pressure relief assembly 320 in place. Fig. 16B shows a similar front view, however the pressure relief assembly 320 has been removed to expose the pressure relief opening 318o and the coupling member 318c of the bore 318, which is configured to fit and receive and/or house the pressure relief assembly 320. Most preferably, the pressure relief piston assembly 320 is used to control the opening and closing of the opening 318 o.

In an embodiment, a coupling member 318c is provided to facilitate coupling and/or associating the pressure relief assembly 320 over the opening 318 o.

In an embodiment, the opening 318o may have a diameter of about 35 millimeters (mm). In an embodiment, the opening 318o may have a diameter of from about 15 millimeters (mm) to about 50 millimeters (mm).

Fig. 16C shows a front view of the stem bore 316 having a stem bore opening portion 316o that functions in the same manner and in a similar fashion as the bores 116, 216 and openings 116o, 216o described previously, and therefore will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 16E shows a front view of the inlet aperture 312 which functions in the same manner and has a similar form as the apertures 112, 212 described previously and therefore will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 17A-17E show various enlarged views of the pressure relief piston assembly 320 removed from the fluid diverter 310. Fig. 17A and 17B show different perspective views of the assembly 320, while fig. 17C-17E show exploded views exposing different functional parts of the piston assembly 320.

Pressure relief piston assembly 320 includes a housing 324 (fig. 17C), a spring 326 (fig. 17D), and a piston body 328 (fig. 17E). In some embodiments, the housing 324 may be provided integral with the aperture 318 to form the opening 318 o.

Fig. 17D shows an alternative form of spring 326 in the form of a torsion spring comprising two free ends 326c and a central spring body 326 a. Spring 326 is fitted over body 328 and housing 324, with free end 326c fitted over housing 324 at dedicated spring groove 324 d; and spring body 326a is housed in a dedicated spring housing 328c and fitted over piston body 328, as shown in fig. 17E.

Fig. 17C shows a piston assembly housing 324 having at least two spring recesses 324C and at least two securing latches 324. The housing 324 has a generally cylindrical body including an (inner) distal end 324i configured to be connected to the opening 318o and an (outer) proximal end 324o configured to be adjacent to an outer surface of the fluid diverter 310, and more particularly, the bore 318. The spring recess 324c is configured to receive the end 326c of the spring. The securing stud 324d has an outer surface 324a configured to couple and/or secure and/or house a coupling member 318c disposed about the opening 318o, as shown, for example, in fig. 16B. The securing pin 324d has an inner surface 324b for coupling and/or associating and/or housing at least a portion of the piston body 328, and more preferably at least one or more coupling fins 328 d. Thus, the securing pegs 324d serve to secure the assembly 320 over the opening 318o via the coupling member 318c and the body 328 via the coupling fins 328 d.

Fig. 17E shows a perspective view of the piston body 328. The body 328 has an outer end surface 328a, an inner end surface 328b, a spring housing groove 328c, a securing fin 328d, a sealing groove 328e, and a central body 328 f. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 17A and 17B, when the body 328 is positioned within the housing 324, the inner end surface 328B is configured to mate with the inner surface 324B and thereby collectively seal and/or close the opening 318 o. The body 328 has a sealing groove 328e adjacent the inner end surface 328b, wherein the groove 328e is for receiving a seal (not shown) to increase closure of the opening 318 o.

Spring housing recess 328c is configured to receive spring body portion 326 a.

Preferably, the securing fin 328d is adjacent the inner end surface 328b and, as described above, serves to couple the body 328 with the housing 324. Optionally, the fixation fins may be oriented orthogonal and/or perpendicular to the central body 328f, e.g., as shown.

The central body 328f defines a central body of the piston body 328 that defines the length of the piston body 328, and thus spans between the inner end surface 328b and the outer end surface 328 a. Preferably, the outer edge of the central body 328f defines an outer end surface 328a of the body 328, for example as shown. In an embodiment, preferably, the end surface 328a is configured to extend beyond the outer proximal end 324o of the housing 324, as shown, for example, in fig. 17A and 17B, such that the end surface 328a can extend beyond the outer surface of the fluid diverter 310, and more specifically can extend beyond the outer surface of the aperture 318, so as to closely overlie the inner surface of the upper housing 12 of the fluid diverter 310. In some embodiments, the profile of the end surface 328a may be configured according to the curvature and/or geometry of the inner surface of the upper shell 12.

The pressure relief piston assembly 320 described above, for example, in accordance with an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, is used to enable easier manipulation of the internal fluid diverter 310 by alternative controls, such as the manual control 150 or the motorized and/or automatic control 155, for example, in the form of the fluid motor 160 and/or similar motor assemblies described herein. More specifically, the pressure release piston assembly 320 serves to mitigate any pressure differential buildup building across the fluid diverter during the filter (100,102) transition between the filtration phase to the self-cleaning phase, and vice versa. More specifically, the arrangement of the pressure relief piston 320 over the bore opening 318o enables a smooth and manageable transition between the filtration phase and the self-cleaning phase, as high pressure differentials may accumulate within and around the bores 318, 118, 218 immediately before the end of the filtration phase and just before the self-cleaning phase. Thus, a preferred solution to pressure buildup is to relieve the pressure buildup provided by the piston assembly 320, which enables pressure equalization between the bore 318 and the outlet bore 314 during the filtration stage. In this way, by substantially reducing the force required to turn the fluid diverter 310, the resulting pressure relief enables easier manipulation of the controls 150, 155, such as manual handles, levers, and/or automatic and/or fluid motors 160.

Pressure equalization is provided by enabling the piston assembly 320 to progressively determine the open/closed state of the opening 318o, wherein more fluid is enabled to transition from the open state to the closed state. Such fluid and/or gradual transitions mitigate pressure buildup, enabling the pressure buildup to be gradually relieved, wherein the force required to manipulate the controls 150, 155, such as the manual handle, lever, and/or automatic motor and/or fluid motor 160, is substantially reduced.

For example, during a filtration stage, the piston assembly 320 is in an open configuration in which the outer end surface 328a is pressed against the inner surface of the upper housing 12, causing the central body portion 328f to displace inwardly against the spring 326, further urging the inner end surface 328b to displace inwardly to open the opening 318o, enabling pressure equalization between the outlet aperture 314 and the aperture 318 when both the outlet aperture 314 and the aperture 318 are exposed to downstream water flow. In an embodiment, the displacement of the piston body 328 relative to the housing 324 is about 10 millimeters (mm).

In an embodiment, the piston assembly 320 may be configured to provide linear motion from about 5mm to about 25 millimeters (mm) in order to control the open/closed state of the opening 318 o. In an embodiment, the displacement of the piston assembly 320 may be configured relative to the biasing force of the spring 326.

In an embodiment, the displacement of the piston assembly 320 may be configured relative to the fluid pressure available to the filter.

During the self-cleaning phase, the opposite occurs, wherein the opening 318o is closed and remains closed due to the absence of the reaction force of the spring 326, as is the case during the filtration phase, and therefore the opening 318o is automatically closed by the inner end surface 328 b.

During the transition between the filtration phase and the self-cleaning phase, the pressure relief assembly 320 maintains pressure equalization between the outlet aperture 114 and the aperture 118 until the outlet aperture 114 is closed. Once the bore 114 is closed, the spring 326 urges the central body 328f inwardly to close the opening 118o with the inner end surface 328 b. Thus, the assembly 320 enables easy rotation of the fluid diverter 310 by maintaining pressure equalization between the orifices 114 and 118 for an extended period of time.

Fig. 9A-9C show alternative views of the primary rod assembly 220, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 9A shows a perspective view of the boom assembly 220, which has a structure similar to the boom assembly 120 described above. The stem assembly 220 has a plurality of stem branches 224 including a plurality of spray apertures 224o configured to discharge a flowing fluid during the self-cleaning mode. The primary rod assembly 220 further includes support members 228a, 228b similar to the support members 128a, 128b described previously. Alternatively, for example, as shown in the top view of fig. 9C, the radial support members 228a may be configured to act as turbine blades to facilitate rotation of the main rod assembly 220 and the disc filter media 20 associated therewith.

The primary rod assembly 220 has a second end 222 and a first end 226 similar to the second end 122 and the first end 126 of the primary rod assembly 120 as previously described. As shown in fig. 9C, the second end 222 is configured for coupling with an optional fluid diverter 110, 210 and includes a main stem connecting passage 220C to direct flowing fluid from the peripheral passages 110C, 210C into the main stem branches 124, 224.

As best shown in fig. 9B, the first end 226 of the main rod assembly has an adapter housing 226p configured to receive at least a portion of an adapter 236, as shown in fig. 10. The first end 226 is used to couple and/or associate the main rod assembly 120, 220 with the piston assembly 130, 230, as previously described with respect to the first end 126. Preferably, the adapter housing 226p is used to house and house an adapter 236, an example of which is shown in fig. 10, that facilitates coupling between the main rod assembly 120, 220 and the piston assembly 130, 230.

Preferably, an adapter 236 is provided for controlling the rotational movement of the steering gear 110, 210 and the main rod assembly 120, 220, in which the controller 150 is provided, to actuate the configuration of the piston assembly 130, 230. Thus, the adapter 236 enables the piston assemblies 130, 230 to stack (compress) or unstack (release) the disc filter elements 20 during the filtration and self-cleaning modes, respectively, based on the position of the fluid diverters 110, 210 (as shown by the controller 150).

Fig. 10 shows an adapter 236 having a bolt-like body that includes a head 236a and a tail 236 b. Preferably, the head 236a is associated with the stem assembly 120, 220 along the first end 126, 226 (e.g., within the housing 226 p). Optionally, head 236a may include at least one or more coupling members 236c for securely associating adapter 236 within housing 226 p.

The tail 236b is provided for association with the piston assembly 130, 230. Preferably, tail 236B has threads and/or grooves 236t configured for coupling with corresponding threads and/or rails 232t (fig. 11B) disposed on piston assembly 130, 230 to facilitate actuation of the state and/or configuration of piston assembly 130, 230.

Fig. 11A-11D illustrate alternative views of a piston assembly 230 that functions similarly to the piston assembly 130 as previously described. The piston assemblies 230, 130 are used to control the compression state of the disc filter 20 along the main rod assemblies 120, 220, while preferably controlling the flushing opening 14f such that it is open during the self-cleaning mode and closed during the filtering mode.

Fig. 11C and 11D show cross-sectional views of the piston assembly 230 when the piston assembly 230 is disposed within the housing 10, around the lower portion 14, over the flush opening 14 f. Fig. 11C and 11D show the piston assembly in a self-cleaning mode when the flushing opening 14f is open.

Fig. 11A and 11B show different views of a piston assembly 230 that functions similarly to the piston assembly 130 as previously described, having compression plates 232, 132 and springs 134, 234. Optionally and preferably, as previously described, the assembly 130, 230 may be coupled with an internal flush valve 140, for example in the form of a plug as shown, to control the state (open/closed) of the opening 14 f.

The piston assembly 230 has a compression plate adapter housing 232a, the compression plate adapter housing 232a for receiving at least a portion of the adapter 10 of fig. 10, as previously described. Preferably, the housing 232a is configured to receive the tail 236 b. Preferably, the housing 232a includes threads and/or rails 232t configured to correspond with the rail and/or adapter threads 236 t.

Fig. 12A and 12B show perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the filter assembly 100, 120 fitted with a bi-directional fluid motor 160 arranged to control the position of the internal fluid diverter 110. Preferably, a bi-directional fluid motor 160 is used to rotate the fluid diverter 110 to change the direction of flow through the filter body and effectively switch between a filtration phase and a self-cleaning phase as previously described. Thus, the bi-directional fluid motor 160 may rotate the fluid diverter in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction to control the position of the fluid diverter 110.

Most preferably, the bi-directional fluid motor 160 utilizes a controllable fluid valve (flow valves)156 that can be controlled by the controller 155 to determine the direction of flow through the bi-directional fluid motor 160, as schematically illustrated in fig. 1A and 1B.

Fig. 13A and 13B show enlarged views of the bi-directional fluid motor 160. Fig. 13A shows a perspective view of a bi-directional fluid motor 160 having a housing 161 securely coupled with a portion of filter housing 10 of filter 100,102 to provide access to the location of fluid diverter 110. Most preferably, the housing 161 is coupled to the upper housing 12 to provide access to the fluid diverter 110.

The fluid motor 160 includes at least two flow inlets 162 including inlets 162a and 162b, each inlet providing a separate flow direction, clockwise or counterclockwise. In an embodiment, preferably, flow through the inlet 162 is controlled by a controllable valve 156, which may be controlled by the controller module 155. Alternatively, each inlet may be controlled by a separate valve 156. Alternatively, both inlets may be controlled by the multi-way valve 156, such that the inlet 162a or 162b in use is controlled by a single multi-way valve 156.

The fluid motor includes at least one outflow port 164, and optionally two outflow ports 164a, 164b, as shown, where each outflow port corresponds to an inflow port 162a, 162 b.

Fig. 13B illustrates a cross section of the fluid motor 160 showing the internal compartments of the bi-directional fluid motor 160 including the flow turbine module 166 and the diverter coupling adapter 170. In an embodiment, the fluid motor may optionally further include a gear and clutch module 168.

Turbine module 166 provides a turbine that utilizes flow energy to create bi-directional motion by utilizing a flowing fluid to enter housing 161 through inlet 162 and exit housing through outlet 164. Preferably, the turbine 166 is a bidirectional turbine that rotates in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions based on the inflow port 162 for rotating the bidirectional turbine blades 165. Most preferably, the turbine 166 is functionally coupled with the adapter 170 such that rotational motion provided by the turbine module 166 is translated into rotational motion of the adapter 170, thereby causing the adapter 170 to controllably rotate to rotate the fluid diverter 110 in a desired direction.

Alternatively, the bi-directional turbine blades can be provided in a dual and/or "back-to-back" scoop and/or cup-like form, for example, as shown in fig. 14A and 14B.

In an alternative embodiment, the rotational energy provided by the turbine module 166 may be amplified by an alternative gear and clutch module 168 such that sufficient power is provided to the adapter 170 to controllably rotate to rotate the fluid diverter 110 in a desired direction.

Fig. 14A and 14B provide enlarged views of an exemplary bi-directional turbine blade 165 shown in the form of a double cup-shaped blade. Each blade 165 is formed from two cups and/or curved members coupled back-to-back to each other to form two separate surfaces configured to receive a flowing fluid to rotate the turbine in one of either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on the flow inlet used. Accordingly, the bidirectional cup-shaped vane 165 enables the fluid motor 160 to rotate in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

In turn, the rotational motion provided by the turbine module 166 (optionally through the gear and clutch module 168) is converted into mechanical motion of the module 170 to turn the fluid diverter 110 in the appropriate direction to determine the direction of flow through the filter housing 10 and the stage of filtration, self-cleaning or filtering as previously described.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Accordingly, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Having described certain preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in various embodiments should not be considered essential features of those embodiments unless the embodiments are inoperative without such elements.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.