초록 ▼

A continuous flow polymer filtration apparatus for replacing dirty filters in an extruder includes a reciprocating slide member secured within a slide channel transverse to a bore. The slide channel has a sealing region adjacent to the bore. The slide member houses two filter assemblies for filterin

A continuous flow polymer filtration apparatus for replacing dirty filters in an extruder includes a reciprocating slide member secured within a slide channel transverse to a bore. The slide channel has a sealing region adjacent to the bore. The slide member houses two filter assemblies for filtering polymer. Each filter assembly comprises at least one filter element which has a width that is less than the width of the sealing region and the distance between the filter assemblies is less than the width of the bore. The slide member is capable of positioning either filter assembly in line with the bore without interrupting the fluid flow of the polymer as well as positioning either filter assembly off-line in order to replace the off-line filter assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of changing filters in a continuous flow operation comprising the steps of: filtering polymer flowing continuously through a bore defining a width extending through a housing with a first filter assembly aligned with the bore during normal operation, the first filter assembly comprising at

A method of changing filters in a continuous flow operation comprising the steps of: filtering polymer flowing continuously through a bore defining a width extending through a housing with a first filter assembly aligned with the bore during normal operation, the first filter assembly comprising at least one filter element being housed within a slide member movably sealed within a slide channel transverse to the bore, the first filter assembly being proximate to a second filter assembly housed within the slide member, the second filter assembly comprising at least one filter element which is off-line with the bore, the slide channel having a sealing region adjacent to the bore and extending a width between the bore and the exterior of the housing, the width of the sealing region being greater than the width of the at least one filter element of the first and second filter assemblies; sealing around the first and second filter assemblies with a sealing surface on the slide member, the sealing surface bordering the first and second filter assemblies and contacting the sealing region of the slide channel; and reciprocating the slide member to move the first filter assembly off-line with the bore and the second filter assembly in-line with the bore, the first and second filter assemblies reciprocating back and forth into position with reciprocation of the slide member such that as the slide member moves in a first direction into position, the first and second filter assemblies move in said first direction into position in unison with the slide member, and as the slide member moves into position in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first and second filter assemblies move in said second direction into position in unison with the slide member, the distance between the first and second filter assemblies being less than the width of the bore such that at least one filter element is in fluid communication with the bore at any position of the slide member.