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A continuous, self-cleaning rotary filtering system is herein provided which includes a plurality of filtering elements within a rotatable filter housing adapted for rotation between an inlet plate having single or multiple inlet ports and an outlet plate having single or multiple outlet ports so th

A continuous, self-cleaning rotary filtering system is herein provided which includes a plurality of filtering elements within a rotatable filter housing adapted for rotation between an inlet plate having single or multiple inlet ports and an outlet plate having single or multiple outlet ports so that a substance to be filtered is passed from the inlet ports through at least one incomplete toroidal cavity within the inlet and outlet plates, through the filter elements and into the outlet ports. The apparatus is further provided with single or multiple backflushing capabilities, whereby, when the filter housing is rotated passed a single or multiple backflush port, a cleaning agent will be caused to flow backward through at least one of the filter elements and backflush ports to purge contaminants from the system via the backflush port or ports without interrupting the stream flow or pressure of the substance to be filtered. Also, several different substances may be used at the same time through multiple backflush ports, such as the filtered substance itself, solvents, air, steam, oil, etc. and the output of one of the output ports may be fed back into the input of a second input port for additional cleaning through a series of different filters which may have different characteristics.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A continuous, self-cleaning filter system comprising: a filter housing constructed and arranged for rotational motion about an axis of said filter housing, said housing having a plurality of holes parallel to said axis disposed in a circular pattern around said axis, filter means disposed within

1. A continuous, self-cleaning filter system comprising: a filter housing constructed and arranged for rotational motion about an axis of said filter housing, said housing having a plurality of holes parallel to said axis disposed in a circular pattern around said axis, filter means disposed within said holes, means to rotate said housing, a first stationary plate having an incomplete toroidal opening extending through said first plate, a second stationary plate having an incomplete toroidal opening extending through said second plate, said opening registering and in communication with at least two of said holes in said filter housing, said plates sandwiching said filter housing between them forming inwardly facing interfacing surfaces and each of said first and second plates having at least one backflush port independent of said toroidal openings, each backflush port being in alignment with each other when assembled and disposed in a path of at least one of said holes in said filter housing when said filter housing is rotated, said at least one of said holes being different than said at least two of said holes at any given time a third stationary plate sandwiched onto said first plate and having an inlet port communicating with said toroidal opening in said first plate, a fourth plate sandwiched onto said second plate and having an outlet port communicating with said toroidal opening in said second plate, said third and fourth plates each having at least one backflush port in alignment with said at least one backflush ports on said first and second plates, a flowing substance to be filtered and means to introduce a backflushing flowing substance into said at least one backflush port, whereby, when said substance to be filtered is introduced into said inlet port, said substance to be filtered will pass through; (a) said inlet port in said third plate; (b) said toroidal opening in said first plate; (c) said at least two holes each containing a filter in said filter housing; (d) said toroidal opening in said second plate; (e) said outlet port in said fourth plate; and when said backflushing substance is introduced into said backflushing port of said second plate, said backflushing substance will pass through; (a) said backflushing port of said fourth plate and said second plate; (b) at least one of said filters; (c) said backflushing port of said first plate and said third plate; and in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of said substance to be filtered. 2. A continuous, self-cleaning filter system comprising: a filter housing constructed and arranged for rotational motion about an axis of said filter housing, said housing having a plurality of holes parallel to said axis disposed in a circular pattern around said axis, filter means disposed within said holes, means to rotate said housing, a first stationary plate having an inlet port leading into a toroidal cavity defined as an incomplete toroidal opening partially extending through said first stationary plate, a second stationary plate having an outlet port leading from a toroidal cavity within said second stationary plate, said cavities having an open side registering and in communication with at least two of said holes in said filter housing, said plates sandwiching said filter housing between them, each of said plates having inwardly facing circular bosses, said filter housing having a pair of circular recessed inner surfaces, said recessed inner surfaces forming an interface with said circular bosses, said recessed inner surfaces accepting and mating with said circular bosses to form a working seal, said plates having at least one backflush port independent of said cavities, each backflush port being in alignment with each other when assembled and disposed in a path of at least one of said holes when said filter housing is rotated, said at least one of said holes being different than said at least two of said holes at any given time, a flowing substance to be filtered and means to introduce a backflushing flowing substance into said backflush ports, whereby, when said substance to be filtered is introduced into said inlet port, said substance to be filtered will pass through; (a) said inlet port in said first plate; (b) said inlet cavity in said first plate; (c) said at least two holes each containing a filter in said filter housing; (d) said outlet cavity in said second plate; (e) said outlet port in said second plate; and when said backflushing substance is introduced into said backflushing port of said second plate, said backflushing substance will pass through; (a) said backflushing port of said second plate; (b) at least one of said filters; (c) said backflushing port of said first plate; and in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of said substance to be filtered. 3. The self-cleaning filter of claim 2 in which said first and said second plates have multiple backflush ports independent of said cavities and in alignment with each other when in an assembled position. 4. A continuous, self-cleaning filter system comprising: a filter housing constructed and arranged for rotational motion about an axis of said filter housing, said housing having two sets of holes parallel to said axis disposed in a first and second circular pattern around said axis with each pattern having a different radius from said axis, filter means disposed within said holes, means to rotate said housing, a first stationary plate having a first and second inlet port, said first inlet port leading into a first toroidal cavity defined as an incomplete toroidal opening partially extending through said first stationary plate, said second inlet port leading into a second toroidal cavity defined as an incomplete toroidal opening partially extending through said first plate, a second stationary plate having a first and second outlet port, said first outlet port leading from a first toroidal cavity defined as an incomplete toroidal opening partially extending through said second plate, said second outlet port leading from a second toroidal cavity defined as an incomplete toroidal opening partially extending through said second stationary plate, means connecting said first outlet port of said second stationary plate into said second inlet port of said first plate, said cavities having an open side registering and in communication with at least two of said holes in said filter housing, said plates sandwiching said filter housing between them forming inwardly facing interfacing surfaces and each plate having at least two backflush ports independent of said cavities, each backflush port being in alignment with each other when assembled and disposed in a path of at least one of said holes in said filter housing when said filter housing is rotated, said at least one of said holes being different than said at least two of said holes at any given time, a flowing substance to be filtered and means to introduce a backflushing flowing substance into said backflush ports, whereby, when said substance to be filtered is introduced into said inlet port, said substance being filtered will pass through; (a) said first inlet port in said first plate; (b) said first inlet cavity in said first plate; (c) said at least two holes each containing a filter in said filter housing; (d) said first outlet cavity in said second plate; (e) said first outlet port in said second plate; (f) means connecting said first outlet port of said second plate into said second inlet port of said first plate; (g) said second inlet port; (h) said second inlet cavity; (i) at least two of said filters; (j) said second outlet cavity; (k) said second outlet port and when said backflushing substance is introduced into said backflushing ports of said second plate, said backflushing substance will pass through; (a) said backflushing ports of said second plate; (b) at least one of said filters disposed within said holes of said first and second circular patterns of said filter housing; (c) said backflushing ports of said first plate; and in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of said substance to be filtered. 5. The self-cleaning filter of claim 4 in which said first and said second plates have multiple backflush ports independent of said manifolds and in alignment with each other when in an assembled position.