CA1196580A - Filter press of movable twin head type - Google Patents
Filter press of movable twin head typeInfo
- Publication number
- CA1196580A CA1196580A CA000416821A CA416821A CA1196580A CA 1196580 A CA1196580 A CA 1196580A CA 000416821 A CA000416821 A CA 000416821A CA 416821 A CA416821 A CA 416821A CA 1196580 A CA1196580 A CA 1196580A
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- Prior art keywords
- head
- cord
- heads
- pair
- drive means
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to a filter press in which between a pair of heads a plurality of filter plates are connected to one another by loose connecting means. In the improved apparatus, the heads are both movable so that the filter plates may be moved in sequence, simultaneously from both end sides, toward the center to close the intervals there-between or away from the center to provide intervals there-between, whereby the time required in assembling and separating the filter plates can be considerably reduced. When the filter plates in assembled state, if one of the heads is pressed, while the other head is placed under action of stoppers, the filter plates are vigorously tightened by a cylinder having a shorter stroke than that in the prior-art apparatus.
This invention relates to a filter press in which between a pair of heads a plurality of filter plates are connected to one another by loose connecting means. In the improved apparatus, the heads are both movable so that the filter plates may be moved in sequence, simultaneously from both end sides, toward the center to close the intervals there-between or away from the center to provide intervals there-between, whereby the time required in assembling and separating the filter plates can be considerably reduced. When the filter plates in assembled state, if one of the heads is pressed, while the other head is placed under action of stoppers, the filter plates are vigorously tightened by a cylinder having a shorter stroke than that in the prior-art apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There h~s been known to the art a ~ilter press of the type in which a plurality of filter plates are arranged in parallel ~etween a pair of heads and on a pair of parallel guide rails supported by machine frames and in which the individual filter plates are connected one ko another by loose link means between the pair of heads so that they may be assembled or separated at same time. The filtering operation is carried out when the filter plates are assembled, and the cake-discharging operation is carried out through movement of filter clokhs when the filter plates are separated. Filter presses of such type are disclosed in U~S~ Patent 3,807y567, British Patent 1,429,855, German Patent 2,309,77~ and Canadian Patent 996,470, for example.
In any such filter press, liquid to be filtered or slurry is fed under high pressure for filtration when the filter plates, adapted to be folded and unfolded in accordion pattern, are folded or assembled, and if each filt~r plate has diaphragms provided on its surfaces for pressing the cakes, the diaphragms are subject to pressure. Therefore, it is essential that the individual filter plates arranged between the pair of locking heads must be held in tightly locked condition so as to withstand such high pressure when they are assembled together.
Such filter press also requires that in order to provide a larger filtration area there must be a larger number of ilter platQs~
Therefore, the following problems have been found wikh filter presses of such type.
One problem is that increasing the number of filter plates to provide a larger filtration area involves an increased distance of stroke of the piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder S~
1 means for separating9 assembling and tightening the fil-ter plates entrained on the pair of guide rails, such lncreased distance of stroke requiring much larger space. Ano-ther problem i5 that in order -to prevent the piston rod from buckling due to the increased distance of stroke, the piston rod must have i.ts diameter and weight increased at same ti.me, which means con-siderable increase in costs.
One approach for solving these problems may be that the pair of heads are adap-ted to be movable and that the h~drau-lic cylinder is disposed between one of the heads and one of -the frames, with ready-to-engage latch means provided between the other head and the other frame or a guide bar, said la-tch means being adapted -to unretreatably hold said other head in position on the guide bar. With a filter press of such arrangement, however, there is still a problem that, as i.s the case with a filter press of the type disclosed in US-PS No. 3,807,567, wherein one of the heads is stationary, that is, fixed -to a frame supporting guide bar, and the other head is movable, considerable time is required in assembling or separating all the filter plates because -the filter plates are assembled or separated in regular sequence from one end side through the movement of the movable head, and -therefore, that the time re-quirement for assembling and separating the filter plates, or so-called miscellaneous cycle time that is not directly concerned with filtering operation, ~ill increase as the number of filter plates is increased to provide increased filtration area, which will ra-ther result in decreased fil-tration efficiency. Inasmuch as the means for folding and unfolding theassembly of fil-ter plates in accordion pattern comp:rise one head for assembling and separating the filter plates over the en-tire space for the purpose and drive means therefor provided on the head and since means for tigh-tening the filter plates, as assembled, under high pressure comprise a hydraulic cylinder disposed on ano-ther head, the above problem is unavoidable, even if the stroke Oe the hy~raulic cylincler could be minimized.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The presen-t invention is intended to provide a solution to these problems. Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is to provide a filter press which permits improved filtration efficiency due to increased number of filter plates and yet can reduce miscellaneous cycle time required for assembling and separating the filter plates to one half the level as prevalent with the conventi3nal type and which permits the desired increase in the number of filLer plates without requiring unreasonably large~sized means for tightening the filter plates as assembled under high pressure.
More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of a filter press having a plurality of filter plates movably arranged on a pair of parallel guide rails supported by machine frame~ and along the length of the guide rails, a pair of heads.l,2 disposed in such a way that the filter plates are entrained therebetween, each of the filter plàtes and the heads 1,2 being back and forth movably connected to the adjacent plates by loose connecting means, characterized in:
20 - i) that said pair of heads 1 and 2 are movably sup-ported on said pair of parallel yuide rails and along the length thereof;
ii) that said pair of heads 1,2 are provided with simultaneous drive means for moving the heads 1 and
There h~s been known to the art a ~ilter press of the type in which a plurality of filter plates are arranged in parallel ~etween a pair of heads and on a pair of parallel guide rails supported by machine frames and in which the individual filter plates are connected one ko another by loose link means between the pair of heads so that they may be assembled or separated at same time. The filtering operation is carried out when the filter plates are assembled, and the cake-discharging operation is carried out through movement of filter clokhs when the filter plates are separated. Filter presses of such type are disclosed in U~S~ Patent 3,807y567, British Patent 1,429,855, German Patent 2,309,77~ and Canadian Patent 996,470, for example.
In any such filter press, liquid to be filtered or slurry is fed under high pressure for filtration when the filter plates, adapted to be folded and unfolded in accordion pattern, are folded or assembled, and if each filt~r plate has diaphragms provided on its surfaces for pressing the cakes, the diaphragms are subject to pressure. Therefore, it is essential that the individual filter plates arranged between the pair of locking heads must be held in tightly locked condition so as to withstand such high pressure when they are assembled together.
Such filter press also requires that in order to provide a larger filtration area there must be a larger number of ilter platQs~
Therefore, the following problems have been found wikh filter presses of such type.
One problem is that increasing the number of filter plates to provide a larger filtration area involves an increased distance of stroke of the piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder S~
1 means for separating9 assembling and tightening the fil-ter plates entrained on the pair of guide rails, such lncreased distance of stroke requiring much larger space. Ano-ther problem i5 that in order -to prevent the piston rod from buckling due to the increased distance of stroke, the piston rod must have i.ts diameter and weight increased at same ti.me, which means con-siderable increase in costs.
One approach for solving these problems may be that the pair of heads are adap-ted to be movable and that the h~drau-lic cylinder is disposed between one of the heads and one of -the frames, with ready-to-engage latch means provided between the other head and the other frame or a guide bar, said la-tch means being adapted -to unretreatably hold said other head in position on the guide bar. With a filter press of such arrangement, however, there is still a problem that, as i.s the case with a filter press of the type disclosed in US-PS No. 3,807,567, wherein one of the heads is stationary, that is, fixed -to a frame supporting guide bar, and the other head is movable, considerable time is required in assembling or separating all the filter plates because -the filter plates are assembled or separated in regular sequence from one end side through the movement of the movable head, and -therefore, that the time re-quirement for assembling and separating the filter plates, or so-called miscellaneous cycle time that is not directly concerned with filtering operation, ~ill increase as the number of filter plates is increased to provide increased filtration area, which will ra-ther result in decreased fil-tration efficiency. Inasmuch as the means for folding and unfolding theassembly of fil-ter plates in accordion pattern comp:rise one head for assembling and separating the filter plates over the en-tire space for the purpose and drive means therefor provided on the head and since means for tigh-tening the filter plates, as assembled, under high pressure comprise a hydraulic cylinder disposed on ano-ther head, the above problem is unavoidable, even if the stroke Oe the hy~raulic cylincler could be minimized.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The presen-t invention is intended to provide a solution to these problems. Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is to provide a filter press which permits improved filtration efficiency due to increased number of filter plates and yet can reduce miscellaneous cycle time required for assembling and separating the filter plates to one half the level as prevalent with the conventi3nal type and which permits the desired increase in the number of filLer plates without requiring unreasonably large~sized means for tightening the filter plates as assembled under high pressure.
More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of a filter press having a plurality of filter plates movably arranged on a pair of parallel guide rails supported by machine frame~ and along the length of the guide rails, a pair of heads.l,2 disposed in such a way that the filter plates are entrained therebetween, each of the filter plàtes and the heads 1,2 being back and forth movably connected to the adjacent plates by loose connecting means, characterized in:
20 - i) that said pair of heads 1 and 2 are movably sup-ported on said pair of parallel yuide rails and along the length thereof;
ii) that said pair of heads 1,2 are provided with simultaneous drive means for moving the heads 1 and
2 at same time in such manner that the filter plates, when they are in separated apart state, are moved in a forward or plate-closing direction one after another beginning from those at both ends of the train to close the intervals therebetween~ and that the filter 30. plates, when they are in assembled state, are moved in a ~everse or plate-separating direction one after another beginning from those at both ends oE
the train to provide intervals therebetween; and ~ii) that one of the heads is provided with read~-to-e:ngage latch means for holding the head in iks first or forward position and without retreat relative s~ l 1 to the guide rails as the filter plates are com-pletely assembled, the other head being provided - with locking means for further tightening the filter plates in thei~ assembled condition;
iv) that said locking means provided on said other head comprises a movable beam 3 which is at least substantially suppor-ted on said pair of guide rails and behind the head 2 and connected to the head 2 through loose connecting means so that the interval between the beam 3 and the head ~ may be adjusted, ready-to-engage latch means for holding the movable beam 3 in its forward position and without retreat relative to the guide rails, and hydraulic cylinder means 30 disposed between the head 2 and the movable beam 3.
The above and other related objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompany-ing drawings, forming a part of this application.
.
s~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG~ l is a side view of a filter press representing one embodiment of the invention, as seen when the individual filter plates are separated to give definite intervals there-between;
FIG~ 2 is a partially cutaway view in side elevation showing the filter press, with its filter plates tightly assemble~l;
FIG~ 3 is a rear elevation of one head (in section taken along line III-III in FIG~ 2);
FIG~ 4 is a side view thereof (in section taken along line IV-IV in FI~ 3);
FIG. 5 is a side view showing another head and a movable beam;
FIG~ 6 is a side view showing means for relaxing cord-form drive means;
FIGo 7 is a front view thereof (in section -taken along line VII-VII in FIG~6);
FIG~ 8 is a side view of connecting means adapted to connect or disconnect the cord-form drive means, as required, relative to the heads;
FIG~ 9 is a partially cutaway plan view o~ same in engaged position;
FIG~ 10 i9 a partially cutaway plan view of same in disengaged position;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are side views showing another form of cord-~orm drive means;
~6-l FIG. 13 is a partly enlarged view of same.
FIG. 14 is a side view of a filter press representing another embodiment of -the invention; and FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway side elevation of same as seen when the filter plates are assembled together.
5~
l DESCRIPTION OF` THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referri.ng to -the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS 1 -through 7, inclusive, there are horizon-tally supported a pair of parallel guide rails 13,13 by a pair of frarnes 11j12.
Between the guide rails 13,13 -there are disposed a pair of heads 1,2 and a plurali-ty of filter plates 5,5.. arranged there-between, The heads 1 and 2 are supported on the guide rails 13,13 through wheels 15p15...... and 16,16....... .respectively so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 13,13. The filter pla-tes 5,5........ , each is supported on the guide rails 13,13, through arms 17 outwardly projec-ting a-t both sides thereof, and movable in the longi-tudinal direc-tion of the guide rails 13,13. The filter plates 5,5~ . disposed between the pair of heads 1,2 are connec-ted to one another and to the heads through loose connec-tin.g means similar -to those used in certain known filter presses9 for example, links 18,18 .
and 19,19.. ......having loose connecting holes (elongate holes), such connecting means being back and forth movably provided at both sides of the entrained filter plates 595...... and at upper and lower locations for each side. Thu,s, when the filter pla-tes 5,5........ arranged between -the pair of heads 192 are in separated apart condition~ with an interval ~ between each two filter plates, as shown in FIG. 1, if the pair of heads 1i2 are moved toward each other, the intervals ~ between the individual filter plates 5,5...... are closed one after another, first with those at both ends, until the filter plates 5,5...... are closely assembled as shown in FIG. 2~ Conversely, if the filter plates 5,5..... , as they are in assembled condition as shown in FIG. 2, are moved away from one another, the individual fllter plates 5,5,,.,. are separated to give intervals ~ therebetween as shown in FIG. 1.
The filter press in -the present embodiment has a movable beam 3 disposed behind the head 2 and at least substan-tlally supported on -the pair of guide rails. The movable beam 3 may be slidably supported on a support means therefor provided behind the head 2. In -the embodiment shown, however9 the 6~
1 movable beam 3 is suppor-ted on the guide rails 13 by means o~ wheels 1~ and is loosely connected to the head 2 by means of four hydraulic cylinders 30 in such a manner that the interval between the movable beam 3 an~ the head 2 may be adjusted within certain limits.
Accordingly, if either the mova~le beam 3 or the head 2 is moved back and forth, the other is caused to move in conjunction therewith through said connecting means.
As mentioned above, the filter press of the invention is so adapted that if the pair of heads 1,2 disposed a-t both ends of the entrained filter plates are moved forward (i.e., in a plate-closing direction towards one another) or back-ward ~i.e~, in a plate-separating direction away from one anotherl at same time, the filter plates 5,5... are caused to move accordingly in sequential order from both ends until they are assembled ox separated. For this purpose, said pair o~
heads 1,2 are provided with simultaneous drive means for moving the filter plates substantially at same time in for-ward or backward direction as required.
In the present embodiment, the simultaneous drive means comprise cord-~orm drive means 10 disposed along and at both sides of the train of heads 1~2 and filter plates 5,5 therebetween and trained in substantially endless pattern over a pair o~ wheels 21, 22 rotatably supported at suitable locations on the frames 11, 12 (or, maybe, on the guide rails 13,13), connecting means wh:ich connect the cord-form drive means, at suitable locations on those portions thereof which are adapted to travel along the length of the guide rails 13, to the heads 1,2, and forward-reverse drive means for the cord-form drive means 10. The cord-form drive means 10 comprise a cord-form drive element lOa connected a-t one end 25 thereof to the head 1 and at the other end 26 to head 2 and trained over a wheel 21 located behind the head 1, and another cord-form drive el~ment 10~ connected at one end 25 to the head 1 and at the other end 26 tc the head 2 and tra~ned over wheels 22 locatecl behind the head 2, so that the cord~form drive means lO is substantially of endless form.
Designated by numeral 27 is a tightener roll, ~7 5~lQ
l -the axis of which i5 cor1stan-tly urged upward by cert;ai.n ro-ta-tab:Ly suppor-ting means no-t shown.
Said cord-form drive means 10 may be constructed of chain or wire rope. Alternatively, por-tions thereof which will wrap arounA the wheels 21,22 when the pair of heads 1,2 are moved forward or reverse substan-tially at same time to assem`ole or separate -the fil-ter pla-tes 5,5... may be formed of such flexible ma-terial as chain or wire rope, and -the remaining portions which will not wrap around the wheels 21,22, tha-t is, s*raight travelling por-tions may be formed of some rigid stick-form material. In the present embodimen-t7 *he cord-.form drive means 10 is such that the portions *hereof which travel around the wheels 21,22 are formed of chain, the wheels 21,22 being of sprocket ~rheel type.
The forward and reverse drive means for said substan-tially endless cord-form drive means 10 comprise an electric motor 20 æuitably disposed on the frame 11, and an interlocking mechanism between the motor 20 and a shaft 23 of the wheel 21.
If -the motor 20 is driven forward or reverse, the heads 1,2 are caused to move accordingly and the movable beam 3 is moved forward or reverse in conjunction with -the head 2, so that the filter plates. 5,5.~... are moved to unite toge-ther or separate from one another in manner as above described, tha-t is, in se~uential order from those at both ends o~ the *rain~
Between each two adjacen-t filter pla-tes there is provided a filter cloth means (not shown) of the type as employed in known recessed-plate type filter presses, for example, one which is adapted -to move simultaneously with those simi:larly disposed between -the other fil-ter plates 5,5..... -to perform such operations as cake d-ischarge and filter cloth cleaning.
The held 1 in the filter press of the invention i.s provi.ded with ready-to-engage :latch means for unretreatably holding the head 1 :in .its first or forward position when the filter plates 5,5...... are assembled together, or when *he head 1 is ~10-l movsd to the forward position by said simultaneous drive means.
Tha-t is, on the side of the guide rails 13,13 each there are suitably provided two inwardly projecting engagement projections 31,31, upper and lower, adapted to engage a stopper 32 provided on the adjacent side of the head 1. (There are a pair of stoppers 32,32 against two pairs of projections 31,31 .31,31, one pair each on the guide rails 13,13.) Said pair of stoppers 32,32 have two pairs of holes 35,35. 35,35, upper and lower, through which a pair of parallel bars 3~934 extend, said bars being horizontally supported, through supporting blocks 33,33 33,33, on the rear surface 1a of the head 1 in parallel relation thereto, The pair of stoppers 32,32 are supported by said pair of parallel bars 34,34 through said holes 35,35.35,35 and adapted to be moved toward and away from the guide ralls 13,13.
The stoppers 32,32 are connected to each o-ther through a hydrau-lic cylinder 36 supported on the rear surface 1a of the head 1 and brackets 37,37, each connected to one end of the hydraulic cylinder 36, If the hydraulic cylinder 36 is contracted, the interval between the stoppers 32,32 is reduced to hold the stoppers 32,32 in the position indicated by solid line in FIG. 3.
If the hydraulic cylinder 36 is stretched, -the stoppers 32,32 are moved outwardly un-til they substantially abut the side faces of the guide rails 13,13 as illustrated by chain line in FIG. 3, 90 that the head 1 is securely held in its forward position as reached when the intervals between the filter plates 5,5 are closed. When -the s-toppers 32,32 are kept in their re-treated position, a posi-tion at which they have a reduced interval ~ /
-therebetween as shown in FIG. 3, the head 1 is allowed to advance.
If the stoppers 32,32 are brought to their forward position (indicated by chain line in FIG. 3), a position at which they have an increased interval ~ therebetween, when -the fil-ter plates 5,5...... are assembled together, their respective rear surfaces 32b are brought in engagement with said projections 31,31...., and concurrently their respective front surfaces 32a are brought in engagement with the rear surfaces 38a,38a.... of projections 38,38,38 . 38,38,38 provided on the head 1 at both sides -thereof. Thus, the head 1 is unretreatably held in its forward position as reached when the filter plates 5,5.... are l assembled toge-ther. Needless to say, this la-tch engagement is released when the stoppers 32~32 are re-trea-ted un-til -the inter~al therebetween is reduced to ~ (indicated by solid line in FIG. 3), In FIG. 3, numerals 39,39 designate arresting plates for holding the stoppers 32,32 in a fixed retreat position 9 numeral 40 designates a backing pla-te for carrying the weight of stopper 32, and numeral ~1 designa-tes a passage for slurry.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral ~2 is a slurry feed pipe.
In the filter press of -the present.invention, the movable beam 3 is provided with ready--to-engage latch means adapted to cooperate with the head 2~ as the interval between the beam 3 and the head 2 is reduced, to unre-treatably hold the beam 3 in forward position when the head 2 is brought to that position by the simultaneous drive means, or when the filter plates are assembled together, Said latch means for the movable beam 3 may be constructed similarly to the latch means for the head 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1,2 and 5, numeral 131 is an engage-ment projection similar to said projection 3i, and numeral 132 is a stopper similar to said stopper 32. As FIG. 2 shot.rs, the movable beam 3 can be he:Ld in the forward position without retreat if a pair of stoppers 132,132 provided on -the rear sur-face of the beam 3 are brought in engagement with the projec-tions 131,131 , 131,131 on the guide rails 13~13.
The filter press of the present invention has locking means adapted to act on the h~ad 2 and movable beam 3 brought to the forward position after the fil-ter plates 5,5..... are assembled by the simultaneous drive means for the heads 1,2 ancl after the head 1 and movable beam 3 are unretrea-tably held in the forward position by means of said stoppers 132,132. By the action of -the locking means the head 2 is moved forward further and thus the assembled filter plates 5,5.... are further tightened.
In the filter press oP the invention, the locking means is represented by said hydraul:ic cylinder 30 disposed between ~! ~12-1~ .
l the head 2 and the movable beaM 3~ In other words, -this hydrau-lic cylinder has dual functions: it acts as locking means and concurrently as loose connecting means for connecting the movable beam 3 to the head 2. Therefore~ in order to make i-t possible -tha-t, after -the fil-ter plates 5,5~ .. are assembled by the action of the simultaneous drive means for the heads 1,2 and after the head 1 is unretreatably held in the forward position, the head 2 which is interlockingly connected -to the head 1 through the cord~form drive means 10, a major component of the simultaneous drive means, be moved forward further by the s-tretch motion of the hydraulic cylinder 30, there are provided means for relaxing the cord-~orm drive means in the simultaneous drive means. Re-ferring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the means for relaxing the cord-form dri~e means in the embodiment comprise bearing means displaceably supporting the shaft 24 of the wheels 22 disposed behind the head 2 in the direction of movement of the head 2 and displace~
ment control means adapted to displace the shaft 2~ between two desired positions. The wheels 22,22 in pair are rotatably supported on the shaft 24 at both ends thereof, said shaft 2~
extending through sliding blocks ~5,45 which are back and for-th slidable along dovetail gro~ves ~4,~4 formed on the sides 12b,12b of the frame 12. The pair of wheels 22,22 can be controlled to any selec-ted forward or backward position by displacing the shaft 24 in -the direction of movement of -the frame 2 by means of hydraulic cylinders 46,46 connected to the shaft 24. There-fore, when the pair of wheels 22,22 are controlled to their backward position (FIG. 1), the cord-form drive means 10 may be kept under tension to actuate the pair of heads 1,2 to move ~orward or backward almost at same time so that the filter plates 595.... may be assembled or separated at same time. After the filter plates 5,5.... have thus been assembled, with the s-toppers 32,32 caused to act on the head 1, if -the pair of wheels 22,22 dre controlled to their forward posi-tions (FIG. 2), tha-t portion of the cord-form drive element 10b which is -trained over -the wheel 22 is relaxed, and thus the hydraulic cylinders 30 may be ~urther s-tre-tched wi-thin the limit up to which the so relaxed cord-form drive element 1Ob permits the advance of the head to.
When the head 2 is moved forward by such stretching motion of 65~
l -the hydra-1llc cyl.:inder 30, the fi]ter plates 5,5,.... in assernbled state are furtiler tightened between -the head 2 and the head 1 which is securely held by -the stoppers 32 against retreating.
Opera-tion ~Jill now be explainecl. In the filter press of the present invention the heads 1,2 for folding and unfolding -the filter pl.ates 5,5..~. arranged between them in accordion pattern are suppor-ted on guide rails 13 back and for-th movably relative to each other and they are connec-ted to each other by simultaneous drive means so that the individual filter plates lG 5,5~.. may be moved forward or backward almos~ simultaneously in such manner that when they are in separated apart state they will be moved forward one after ano-ther from the both end sides to close the intervals therebetween and that when they are in assembled state they will be moved backward one after another from the both end sides to provide intervals therebetween.
Therefore, if the simultaneous drive means are actuated., or more spscifically, where the fil-ter plates 5,5.... are in separatea apart state as shown in FIG.1, if.the elec-tric motor 20 is driven forward after the wheels 22,22 are controlled to their backward position to keep the cord-form drive means under tension, ~he heads 1 and 2 are moved forward at same time and accordingly the intervals between the individual filter plates 5,5.... are closed in sequential order from the both end sides in such manner that -the left and right half groups of fiiter plates 5,5.... in FIG. 1 are moved toward the center almost simultaneously from both end sides, the intervals between the individual filter plates 5,5.... being thus closed (FIG. 2~
Conversely, when the filter plates 5,5.... are in assembled state, if the motor 20 is driven reverse, the heads .1 and 2 are moved backward at same time and accordingly the filter plates 5.,5.... are separated one after another from bo-th end sides. That is, the left and righ-t hal~ groups of fil-ter plates in FIG. 2 are deployed almost simultaneously in the leftward and rightward directions so that intervals are provided between the :individual ~ilter plates 5,5.... (FIG. 1).
I Wi-th the fil-ter press of the inven~tion arranged as such, the time requirement for assembling and separating the fil-ter pla-tes 5~5.... is reduced to about one half o~ that in -the case of filter presses of conventional -type in ~hich only one of the heads is moved forward and backward to assemble and separate -the fil-ter plates, wi-th -the o-ther head fi.xedly moun-ted or hsld s-tationary.
Moreover, in the filter press of this invention, behind the head 2 there is provided a movable beam 3 loosely connected -thereto 9 bo-th being connected by the hydraulic cylînder 30; therefore, if the cylinder 30 is kep-t in con-tracted condition, the interval between the head 2 and the movable beam 3 is kept to minimum so tha-t the movable beam 3 is allowed to move in conjunction with the head 2.
Furthermore, the present invention is such that the head 1 and -the movable beam 3 connected to the rear side of the head 2 are both provided with ready-to-engage latch me~ns which are adapted to unretractably hold the head 1 and -the movable beam 3 in posi-tion when the filter plates 5,5.... are in ~o assembled state. Therefore~ by causing these.la-tch means, or stoppers 32 and 132 in -the present instance, to act on the head I
and the movable beam 3 respectively to unretreatably hold them in their respective forward positions rela-tive to the guide rails 13 and thereafter by subjecting the head 2 to the action of the locking means for fur-ther tightening the assembled ~ilter - plates 5,5..... is it possible to advance the head 2 further as earlier described. In the present instance, wherein there is provided a cord-form drive means 10 which is connected to the head 2, there is also provided a relaxing means for relaxing the cord-forrn drive means 10 in order to permit such further tight-ening. So, if the hydraulic cylinder 30 is stretched to advance the head 2, as -the cord-form drive means 10 is relaxed, the filter plates 5,5 assembled between the heads 1 and 2 are vigor-ously tightened -to allow the slurry to be fed in-to the train of filtor plates under pressure for filtering operat.ion and fur-ther to ~ermit high-pressure compression by means of diaphragms or l the like o~ cakes produced within -the fil-ter plates during the filtering operation. In the filter press of the inven-tion, a high-pressur0 cylinder having a very short stroke is employed for such further tightening operation.
Next, another embodiment of the inven-tion will be explained. In the above described embodiment, the simultaneous driva means mounted to a pair of heads 1,2 include cord-form drive means 10 connected solidly to the heads 1 and 2 at 25 and 26 respectively, and therefore, in order to allow one of -the head~, i.e. head 2, to advance ~urth~r toward the other head 1 unretreatably held in its forward position~ -the cord-form drive means 10 is provided with relaxing means therefor. In another embodiment, of the connections which connect -to the heads 1~2 that portion of the cord-form drive means which is trained over the wheel disposed behind the head 2, at least one connec-tion relative to one of the heads 1,2 is connected to said one head 1 or 2 through ready-to-engage connecting means. Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10 in which the embodiment is shown, the con-nection 26 is disengageable. A portion of the cord-form drive means 10 comprises a rod element 50. On the outer side face of side wall 2b of the head 2 there is mounted a guide block 51 having ~ groove 52 with a lip 52a. The rod element 50 is slidably supported by the groove 52 of the guide block 51 in the direction o~ the guide block 51 in the direction of movement o~ the head 2 (left and right directlon in thb drawings) and relative to ~the head 2. At a suitable location on the guide block 51 and the side wall 2b of the head 2 there are bored holes 53 and 54 extending therethrough. In the holes 53,54 there is slidably fitted a stopper pin 55, the fron-t end of which is retractably extensible through the hole 54 into the groove 52 of the guide block 51. The rod element 50~ in a portion thereof adjacent the right end in FIGS. 8---10, has an engaging hole 56 formed which permit~ entry of the stopper pin 55 -therein-to ~or engagement.
If the stopper pin 55 engages the engaging hole 56, the cord-form drive maans 10 and the head 2 are interlockingly connec-ted, and if the stopper pin 55 is withdrawn ~rom the engaging hole 56, the head 2 is ~eparated from -the cord-~orm drive means and l allowed -to move independently.
In order to control the engagement and disengagement of the stopper pin 55 with and from the engaging hole 56, -the base of the stopper pin 55 may be connected to a two-position stabilized type solenoid (not shown). Alternatively, two stopper pins 55,55 (stopper pins are required in pair, i.e., one each on both side walls 2b,2b, which remark is also applicable to the relevant description above) may be connec-ted to each other by means of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder wi-th springs urging toward the direction of stretching. Then, it is possible to control the s-topper pins for movement between the engagement position shown in FIG. 9 and -the disengagement position shown in FIG. 10, thereby connec-ting and disconnecting the head 2 and the rod elemen-t 50 of the cord-form drive means relative to each o-ther.
In FIGS. 8 through 10, numerals 57 and 58 ~re connec-tions between the cord-form drive elemen-ts 10a, 10b and the rod element 50. As may be readily seen from the drawings, with arrangement such that -the cord-form drive means 10 and the head 2 can be connected -to and disconnected from each other by said ready-to-engage connecting means, the heads 1,2 are moved for-ward or backward almost at same time to assemble or separate the filter plates 5,5.... in sequential order from both end sides when the head 2 and the cord-form drive means 10 are connected relative to each other through the connecting means; and if the connection between the head 2 and the cord-form drive means 10 through the connecting means is removed when the intervals between the individual fil-ter plates are closed, the hydraulic cylinder 30 is stretched to permit further advance of the head 2 so that the filter plates in assembled condition are further tightened.
In stil:L another embodiment of the invention, simul-taneous drive means for the heads 1 and 2 may be constructed as ~ollows. Referring to ~IGS. 11 to 13, the cord-form drive means lO comprise chains 10c,10g which correspond to the portions l -trained over the wheels 21,229 wheels 21,22 in the form of sprocket wheels, and wire ropes 10e,10i which correspond to portions between said chains 10c and 10g, said pair of chains 10c,10g and said pair of wire ropes 10e,10i being connec-ted by means of sticX-like connecting blocks 10d,10f.10h,10j to form an endless assembly. The cord-form drive means 10 in this embodiment are loosely connecte~ at the connecting block 1~j to the head 1 and loosely connected at the connecting block 10f -to the head 2. The connecting blocks 10j and 10f have elongate openings 6j and 6f respectively. The head 1 i.s connected to the connecting block 10j through a pin 125 which engages the elongate opening 6j, wi-th a loose stroke within which the pin 125 is loosely movable in the elonga-te opening 6j; and -the head 2 i9 connected to the connecting block 10f through a pin 126 which engages the elongate opening 6f, with a loose stroke within which the pin 126 is loosely movable in the elongate opening 6f. Thus, the relation between -the heads 1 and 2 is such that when the heads 1,2 are remotest from each other as in FIG. 11, if the cord-form drive means are driven counterclockwise, the pin 125 engages the left end of -the elongate opening 6j and the pin 126 engages the right end of the elongate opening 6f, so that the heads 1,2 are moved forward until the closed condition as in FIG. 12 is reached. When this closed condition is present, if the stoppers 32,132 are caused to act on the head 1 and movable beam 3 respectively (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) so that the head 1 and movable beam 3 are prevented from retreating, and thereafter if the hydraulic cylinder 30 (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) is stretched -to move the head 2 away from the movable beam 3 and thus to effect in¢reased tightening, the pin lZ6 moves within the elongate opening 6f in the left direction in FIG. 12 -to permit such increased -tightening.
In -the above embodiment, the heads 1 and 2 are loosely connected at pins 125 and 126 to the cord-form drive means 10.
Alternatively, only the pin 126 at the head 2 adjacent th~3 movable beam 3 may be loo~3ely connected in manner as above described.
In the embodinlents described above, the simultaneous S8~
1 drive means are connected to the heads 1 and 2 to move them almost simultaneously in the forward direction, a direction for closing the intervals between -the filter plates sequenti-ally from bo-th end sides and in the reverse direction, a direction for separating the filter plates in assembled con-dition sequenti.ally from both end sides. Since the head 2 and the movable beam 3 are moved in conjunction with each other during such ~orward and reverse movement, the simul-taneous drive means may be connected to the head 1 and the movable beam 3, instead of the heads 1,2 so that the heads 1,2 may be indirectly moved at same time (not shown3. In that case, relaxing means of the cord-form drive means 40 for allowing increased tightening by the head 2, ready-to-engage connecting means including pins 55 and holes 56, and loose connecting means comprising elongate holes 6f and pins 12S
are not required.
~ aving now described some preferred embodiments of the invention, the filter press in accordance with the i~-vention, as earlier stated, has a pair of heads 1,2 movably supported on a pair of guide rails and along the length thereof in same manner as the filter plates 5,5... arranged in multi-plicity therebetween, the heads 1,2.and filter plates 5,5...
being back and forth movably connected through loose connect.ing means. The pair of heads 1,2 are provided with simultaneous drive means for moving them almost simultaneously at least in the forward direction for closing the intervals between the filter plates sequentially from both end sides and in the reverse direction for separating the filter pla-tes sequentially from both end sides to provide intervals therebetween.
When they are to be assembled~ the filter plates may be moved simultaneously toward the center from both end sides, and when they are to be separated, the plates may be moved simultaneously away from the center from both end sides. Therefore, the ti.me requirement for such assembling and separating operation is reduced to about one half of that required with con-venti.onal ilter press, if the length o~ the train of filter plates is same. It follows that some two times. as long a _ 19 -5~
1 train of filter pla-tes as that of conventional filter press can be assembled and separated within same time requirement.
With the filter press of the present invention, therefore, miscellaneous cycle time involved in ~ilter-pla-te assemblin~
and separating can ~e so much decreased and thus filtration efficiency can be relatively improved.
Furthermore, in the filter press of -the invention, it is so arranged that the filter plates are assembled when the heads 1,2 are moved a predetermined distance toward each other, and:
the means for tightening the filter plates at assembled state under high pressure comprise ready-to-engage latch means for unretreatably holding one of the heads (head 1) in its forward position, a movable beam 3 disposed behind the other head 2 and connected to the head 2 through loose connecting means, with distance therebetween adjustable within a certain range, ready-to-engage latch means for unretreatably holding the movable beam 3 in its forward position, and locking means disposed between the movable beam 3 and the head 2, the stroke of.
said locking means can be reduced by the length o~
stroke with which the heads 1,2 are moved forward and reverse, as compared with the tightening stroke of filter presses of conventional type in which asse~bling and separating operation is carried out by moving only one of the heads forward and back-ward by tightening means for the filter pla-tes.
In accordance with the present invention, the stroke of the high pressure locking means can be considerably reduced as compared with the conventional type.
Therefore, the arrangement of the invention permits efficient tightening of many filter plates by use of l.ow-cost locking means.
The invent:ion may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteris-tics .J~
1. thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be con-sidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive~
the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descriptlon and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of.the claims are therefore intended to.be embraced therein.
,. 21 ~
the train to provide intervals therebetween; and ~ii) that one of the heads is provided with read~-to-e:ngage latch means for holding the head in iks first or forward position and without retreat relative s~ l 1 to the guide rails as the filter plates are com-pletely assembled, the other head being provided - with locking means for further tightening the filter plates in thei~ assembled condition;
iv) that said locking means provided on said other head comprises a movable beam 3 which is at least substantially suppor-ted on said pair of guide rails and behind the head 2 and connected to the head 2 through loose connecting means so that the interval between the beam 3 and the head ~ may be adjusted, ready-to-engage latch means for holding the movable beam 3 in its forward position and without retreat relative to the guide rails, and hydraulic cylinder means 30 disposed between the head 2 and the movable beam 3.
The above and other related objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompany-ing drawings, forming a part of this application.
.
s~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG~ l is a side view of a filter press representing one embodiment of the invention, as seen when the individual filter plates are separated to give definite intervals there-between;
FIG~ 2 is a partially cutaway view in side elevation showing the filter press, with its filter plates tightly assemble~l;
FIG~ 3 is a rear elevation of one head (in section taken along line III-III in FIG~ 2);
FIG~ 4 is a side view thereof (in section taken along line IV-IV in FI~ 3);
FIG. 5 is a side view showing another head and a movable beam;
FIG~ 6 is a side view showing means for relaxing cord-form drive means;
FIGo 7 is a front view thereof (in section -taken along line VII-VII in FIG~6);
FIG~ 8 is a side view of connecting means adapted to connect or disconnect the cord-form drive means, as required, relative to the heads;
FIG~ 9 is a partially cutaway plan view o~ same in engaged position;
FIG~ 10 i9 a partially cutaway plan view of same in disengaged position;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are side views showing another form of cord-~orm drive means;
~6-l FIG. 13 is a partly enlarged view of same.
FIG. 14 is a side view of a filter press representing another embodiment of -the invention; and FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway side elevation of same as seen when the filter plates are assembled together.
5~
l DESCRIPTION OF` THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referri.ng to -the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS 1 -through 7, inclusive, there are horizon-tally supported a pair of parallel guide rails 13,13 by a pair of frarnes 11j12.
Between the guide rails 13,13 -there are disposed a pair of heads 1,2 and a plurali-ty of filter plates 5,5.. arranged there-between, The heads 1 and 2 are supported on the guide rails 13,13 through wheels 15p15...... and 16,16....... .respectively so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 13,13. The filter pla-tes 5,5........ , each is supported on the guide rails 13,13, through arms 17 outwardly projec-ting a-t both sides thereof, and movable in the longi-tudinal direc-tion of the guide rails 13,13. The filter plates 5,5~ . disposed between the pair of heads 1,2 are connec-ted to one another and to the heads through loose connec-tin.g means similar -to those used in certain known filter presses9 for example, links 18,18 .
and 19,19.. ......having loose connecting holes (elongate holes), such connecting means being back and forth movably provided at both sides of the entrained filter plates 595...... and at upper and lower locations for each side. Thu,s, when the filter pla-tes 5,5........ arranged between -the pair of heads 192 are in separated apart condition~ with an interval ~ between each two filter plates, as shown in FIG. 1, if the pair of heads 1i2 are moved toward each other, the intervals ~ between the individual filter plates 5,5...... are closed one after another, first with those at both ends, until the filter plates 5,5...... are closely assembled as shown in FIG. 2~ Conversely, if the filter plates 5,5..... , as they are in assembled condition as shown in FIG. 2, are moved away from one another, the individual fllter plates 5,5,,.,. are separated to give intervals ~ therebetween as shown in FIG. 1.
The filter press in -the present embodiment has a movable beam 3 disposed behind the head 2 and at least substan-tlally supported on -the pair of guide rails. The movable beam 3 may be slidably supported on a support means therefor provided behind the head 2. In -the embodiment shown, however9 the 6~
1 movable beam 3 is suppor-ted on the guide rails 13 by means o~ wheels 1~ and is loosely connected to the head 2 by means of four hydraulic cylinders 30 in such a manner that the interval between the movable beam 3 an~ the head 2 may be adjusted within certain limits.
Accordingly, if either the mova~le beam 3 or the head 2 is moved back and forth, the other is caused to move in conjunction therewith through said connecting means.
As mentioned above, the filter press of the invention is so adapted that if the pair of heads 1,2 disposed a-t both ends of the entrained filter plates are moved forward (i.e., in a plate-closing direction towards one another) or back-ward ~i.e~, in a plate-separating direction away from one anotherl at same time, the filter plates 5,5... are caused to move accordingly in sequential order from both ends until they are assembled ox separated. For this purpose, said pair o~
heads 1,2 are provided with simultaneous drive means for moving the filter plates substantially at same time in for-ward or backward direction as required.
In the present embodiment, the simultaneous drive means comprise cord-~orm drive means 10 disposed along and at both sides of the train of heads 1~2 and filter plates 5,5 therebetween and trained in substantially endless pattern over a pair o~ wheels 21, 22 rotatably supported at suitable locations on the frames 11, 12 (or, maybe, on the guide rails 13,13), connecting means wh:ich connect the cord-form drive means, at suitable locations on those portions thereof which are adapted to travel along the length of the guide rails 13, to the heads 1,2, and forward-reverse drive means for the cord-form drive means 10. The cord-form drive means 10 comprise a cord-form drive element lOa connected a-t one end 25 thereof to the head 1 and at the other end 26 to head 2 and trained over a wheel 21 located behind the head 1, and another cord-form drive el~ment 10~ connected at one end 25 to the head 1 and at the other end 26 tc the head 2 and tra~ned over wheels 22 locatecl behind the head 2, so that the cord~form drive means lO is substantially of endless form.
Designated by numeral 27 is a tightener roll, ~7 5~lQ
l -the axis of which i5 cor1stan-tly urged upward by cert;ai.n ro-ta-tab:Ly suppor-ting means no-t shown.
Said cord-form drive means 10 may be constructed of chain or wire rope. Alternatively, por-tions thereof which will wrap arounA the wheels 21,22 when the pair of heads 1,2 are moved forward or reverse substan-tially at same time to assem`ole or separate -the fil-ter pla-tes 5,5... may be formed of such flexible ma-terial as chain or wire rope, and -the remaining portions which will not wrap around the wheels 21,22, tha-t is, s*raight travelling por-tions may be formed of some rigid stick-form material. In the present embodimen-t7 *he cord-.form drive means 10 is such that the portions *hereof which travel around the wheels 21,22 are formed of chain, the wheels 21,22 being of sprocket ~rheel type.
The forward and reverse drive means for said substan-tially endless cord-form drive means 10 comprise an electric motor 20 æuitably disposed on the frame 11, and an interlocking mechanism between the motor 20 and a shaft 23 of the wheel 21.
If -the motor 20 is driven forward or reverse, the heads 1,2 are caused to move accordingly and the movable beam 3 is moved forward or reverse in conjunction with -the head 2, so that the filter plates. 5,5.~... are moved to unite toge-ther or separate from one another in manner as above described, tha-t is, in se~uential order from those at both ends o~ the *rain~
Between each two adjacen-t filter pla-tes there is provided a filter cloth means (not shown) of the type as employed in known recessed-plate type filter presses, for example, one which is adapted -to move simultaneously with those simi:larly disposed between -the other fil-ter plates 5,5..... -to perform such operations as cake d-ischarge and filter cloth cleaning.
The held 1 in the filter press of the invention i.s provi.ded with ready-to-engage :latch means for unretreatably holding the head 1 :in .its first or forward position when the filter plates 5,5...... are assembled together, or when *he head 1 is ~10-l movsd to the forward position by said simultaneous drive means.
Tha-t is, on the side of the guide rails 13,13 each there are suitably provided two inwardly projecting engagement projections 31,31, upper and lower, adapted to engage a stopper 32 provided on the adjacent side of the head 1. (There are a pair of stoppers 32,32 against two pairs of projections 31,31 .31,31, one pair each on the guide rails 13,13.) Said pair of stoppers 32,32 have two pairs of holes 35,35. 35,35, upper and lower, through which a pair of parallel bars 3~934 extend, said bars being horizontally supported, through supporting blocks 33,33 33,33, on the rear surface 1a of the head 1 in parallel relation thereto, The pair of stoppers 32,32 are supported by said pair of parallel bars 34,34 through said holes 35,35.35,35 and adapted to be moved toward and away from the guide ralls 13,13.
The stoppers 32,32 are connected to each o-ther through a hydrau-lic cylinder 36 supported on the rear surface 1a of the head 1 and brackets 37,37, each connected to one end of the hydraulic cylinder 36, If the hydraulic cylinder 36 is contracted, the interval between the stoppers 32,32 is reduced to hold the stoppers 32,32 in the position indicated by solid line in FIG. 3.
If the hydraulic cylinder 36 is stretched, -the stoppers 32,32 are moved outwardly un-til they substantially abut the side faces of the guide rails 13,13 as illustrated by chain line in FIG. 3, 90 that the head 1 is securely held in its forward position as reached when the intervals between the filter plates 5,5 are closed. When -the s-toppers 32,32 are kept in their re-treated position, a posi-tion at which they have a reduced interval ~ /
-therebetween as shown in FIG. 3, the head 1 is allowed to advance.
If the stoppers 32,32 are brought to their forward position (indicated by chain line in FIG. 3), a position at which they have an increased interval ~ therebetween, when -the fil-ter plates 5,5...... are assembled together, their respective rear surfaces 32b are brought in engagement with said projections 31,31...., and concurrently their respective front surfaces 32a are brought in engagement with the rear surfaces 38a,38a.... of projections 38,38,38 . 38,38,38 provided on the head 1 at both sides -thereof. Thus, the head 1 is unretreatably held in its forward position as reached when the filter plates 5,5.... are l assembled toge-ther. Needless to say, this la-tch engagement is released when the stoppers 32~32 are re-trea-ted un-til -the inter~al therebetween is reduced to ~ (indicated by solid line in FIG. 3), In FIG. 3, numerals 39,39 designate arresting plates for holding the stoppers 32,32 in a fixed retreat position 9 numeral 40 designates a backing pla-te for carrying the weight of stopper 32, and numeral ~1 designa-tes a passage for slurry.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral ~2 is a slurry feed pipe.
In the filter press of -the present.invention, the movable beam 3 is provided with ready--to-engage latch means adapted to cooperate with the head 2~ as the interval between the beam 3 and the head 2 is reduced, to unre-treatably hold the beam 3 in forward position when the head 2 is brought to that position by the simultaneous drive means, or when the filter plates are assembled together, Said latch means for the movable beam 3 may be constructed similarly to the latch means for the head 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1,2 and 5, numeral 131 is an engage-ment projection similar to said projection 3i, and numeral 132 is a stopper similar to said stopper 32. As FIG. 2 shot.rs, the movable beam 3 can be he:Ld in the forward position without retreat if a pair of stoppers 132,132 provided on -the rear sur-face of the beam 3 are brought in engagement with the projec-tions 131,131 , 131,131 on the guide rails 13~13.
The filter press of the present invention has locking means adapted to act on the h~ad 2 and movable beam 3 brought to the forward position after the fil-ter plates 5,5..... are assembled by the simultaneous drive means for the heads 1,2 ancl after the head 1 and movable beam 3 are unretrea-tably held in the forward position by means of said stoppers 132,132. By the action of -the locking means the head 2 is moved forward further and thus the assembled filter plates 5,5.... are further tightened.
In the filter press oP the invention, the locking means is represented by said hydraul:ic cylinder 30 disposed between ~! ~12-1~ .
l the head 2 and the movable beaM 3~ In other words, -this hydrau-lic cylinder has dual functions: it acts as locking means and concurrently as loose connecting means for connecting the movable beam 3 to the head 2. Therefore~ in order to make i-t possible -tha-t, after -the fil-ter plates 5,5~ .. are assembled by the action of the simultaneous drive means for the heads 1,2 and after the head 1 is unretreatably held in the forward position, the head 2 which is interlockingly connected -to the head 1 through the cord~form drive means 10, a major component of the simultaneous drive means, be moved forward further by the s-tretch motion of the hydraulic cylinder 30, there are provided means for relaxing the cord-~orm drive means in the simultaneous drive means. Re-ferring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the means for relaxing the cord-form dri~e means in the embodiment comprise bearing means displaceably supporting the shaft 24 of the wheels 22 disposed behind the head 2 in the direction of movement of the head 2 and displace~
ment control means adapted to displace the shaft 2~ between two desired positions. The wheels 22,22 in pair are rotatably supported on the shaft 24 at both ends thereof, said shaft 2~
extending through sliding blocks ~5,45 which are back and for-th slidable along dovetail gro~ves ~4,~4 formed on the sides 12b,12b of the frame 12. The pair of wheels 22,22 can be controlled to any selec-ted forward or backward position by displacing the shaft 24 in -the direction of movement of -the frame 2 by means of hydraulic cylinders 46,46 connected to the shaft 24. There-fore, when the pair of wheels 22,22 are controlled to their backward position (FIG. 1), the cord-form drive means 10 may be kept under tension to actuate the pair of heads 1,2 to move ~orward or backward almost at same time so that the filter plates 595.... may be assembled or separated at same time. After the filter plates 5,5.... have thus been assembled, with the s-toppers 32,32 caused to act on the head 1, if -the pair of wheels 22,22 dre controlled to their forward posi-tions (FIG. 2), tha-t portion of the cord-form drive element 10b which is -trained over -the wheel 22 is relaxed, and thus the hydraulic cylinders 30 may be ~urther s-tre-tched wi-thin the limit up to which the so relaxed cord-form drive element 1Ob permits the advance of the head to.
When the head 2 is moved forward by such stretching motion of 65~
l -the hydra-1llc cyl.:inder 30, the fi]ter plates 5,5,.... in assernbled state are furtiler tightened between -the head 2 and the head 1 which is securely held by -the stoppers 32 against retreating.
Opera-tion ~Jill now be explainecl. In the filter press of the present invention the heads 1,2 for folding and unfolding -the filter pl.ates 5,5..~. arranged between them in accordion pattern are suppor-ted on guide rails 13 back and for-th movably relative to each other and they are connec-ted to each other by simultaneous drive means so that the individual filter plates lG 5,5~.. may be moved forward or backward almos~ simultaneously in such manner that when they are in separated apart state they will be moved forward one after ano-ther from the both end sides to close the intervals therebetween and that when they are in assembled state they will be moved backward one after another from the both end sides to provide intervals therebetween.
Therefore, if the simultaneous drive means are actuated., or more spscifically, where the fil-ter plates 5,5.... are in separatea apart state as shown in FIG.1, if.the elec-tric motor 20 is driven forward after the wheels 22,22 are controlled to their backward position to keep the cord-form drive means under tension, ~he heads 1 and 2 are moved forward at same time and accordingly the intervals between the individual filter plates 5,5.... are closed in sequential order from the both end sides in such manner that -the left and right half groups of fiiter plates 5,5.... in FIG. 1 are moved toward the center almost simultaneously from both end sides, the intervals between the individual filter plates 5,5.... being thus closed (FIG. 2~
Conversely, when the filter plates 5,5.... are in assembled state, if the motor 20 is driven reverse, the heads .1 and 2 are moved backward at same time and accordingly the filter plates 5.,5.... are separated one after another from bo-th end sides. That is, the left and righ-t hal~ groups of fil-ter plates in FIG. 2 are deployed almost simultaneously in the leftward and rightward directions so that intervals are provided between the :individual ~ilter plates 5,5.... (FIG. 1).
I Wi-th the fil-ter press of the inven~tion arranged as such, the time requirement for assembling and separating the fil-ter pla-tes 5~5.... is reduced to about one half o~ that in -the case of filter presses of conventional -type in ~hich only one of the heads is moved forward and backward to assemble and separate -the fil-ter plates, wi-th -the o-ther head fi.xedly moun-ted or hsld s-tationary.
Moreover, in the filter press of this invention, behind the head 2 there is provided a movable beam 3 loosely connected -thereto 9 bo-th being connected by the hydraulic cylînder 30; therefore, if the cylinder 30 is kep-t in con-tracted condition, the interval between the head 2 and the movable beam 3 is kept to minimum so tha-t the movable beam 3 is allowed to move in conjunction with the head 2.
Furthermore, the present invention is such that the head 1 and -the movable beam 3 connected to the rear side of the head 2 are both provided with ready-to-engage latch me~ns which are adapted to unretractably hold the head 1 and -the movable beam 3 in posi-tion when the filter plates 5,5.... are in ~o assembled state. Therefore~ by causing these.la-tch means, or stoppers 32 and 132 in -the present instance, to act on the head I
and the movable beam 3 respectively to unretreatably hold them in their respective forward positions rela-tive to the guide rails 13 and thereafter by subjecting the head 2 to the action of the locking means for fur-ther tightening the assembled ~ilter - plates 5,5..... is it possible to advance the head 2 further as earlier described. In the present instance, wherein there is provided a cord-form drive means 10 which is connected to the head 2, there is also provided a relaxing means for relaxing the cord-forrn drive means 10 in order to permit such further tight-ening. So, if the hydraulic cylinder 30 is stretched to advance the head 2, as -the cord-form drive means 10 is relaxed, the filter plates 5,5 assembled between the heads 1 and 2 are vigor-ously tightened -to allow the slurry to be fed in-to the train of filtor plates under pressure for filtering operat.ion and fur-ther to ~ermit high-pressure compression by means of diaphragms or l the like o~ cakes produced within -the fil-ter plates during the filtering operation. In the filter press of the inven-tion, a high-pressur0 cylinder having a very short stroke is employed for such further tightening operation.
Next, another embodiment of the inven-tion will be explained. In the above described embodiment, the simultaneous driva means mounted to a pair of heads 1,2 include cord-form drive means 10 connected solidly to the heads 1 and 2 at 25 and 26 respectively, and therefore, in order to allow one of -the head~, i.e. head 2, to advance ~urth~r toward the other head 1 unretreatably held in its forward position~ -the cord-form drive means 10 is provided with relaxing means therefor. In another embodiment, of the connections which connect -to the heads 1~2 that portion of the cord-form drive means which is trained over the wheel disposed behind the head 2, at least one connec-tion relative to one of the heads 1,2 is connected to said one head 1 or 2 through ready-to-engage connecting means. Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10 in which the embodiment is shown, the con-nection 26 is disengageable. A portion of the cord-form drive means 10 comprises a rod element 50. On the outer side face of side wall 2b of the head 2 there is mounted a guide block 51 having ~ groove 52 with a lip 52a. The rod element 50 is slidably supported by the groove 52 of the guide block 51 in the direction o~ the guide block 51 in the direction of movement o~ the head 2 (left and right directlon in thb drawings) and relative to ~the head 2. At a suitable location on the guide block 51 and the side wall 2b of the head 2 there are bored holes 53 and 54 extending therethrough. In the holes 53,54 there is slidably fitted a stopper pin 55, the fron-t end of which is retractably extensible through the hole 54 into the groove 52 of the guide block 51. The rod element 50~ in a portion thereof adjacent the right end in FIGS. 8---10, has an engaging hole 56 formed which permit~ entry of the stopper pin 55 -therein-to ~or engagement.
If the stopper pin 55 engages the engaging hole 56, the cord-form drive maans 10 and the head 2 are interlockingly connec-ted, and if the stopper pin 55 is withdrawn ~rom the engaging hole 56, the head 2 is ~eparated from -the cord-~orm drive means and l allowed -to move independently.
In order to control the engagement and disengagement of the stopper pin 55 with and from the engaging hole 56, -the base of the stopper pin 55 may be connected to a two-position stabilized type solenoid (not shown). Alternatively, two stopper pins 55,55 (stopper pins are required in pair, i.e., one each on both side walls 2b,2b, which remark is also applicable to the relevant description above) may be connec-ted to each other by means of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder wi-th springs urging toward the direction of stretching. Then, it is possible to control the s-topper pins for movement between the engagement position shown in FIG. 9 and -the disengagement position shown in FIG. 10, thereby connec-ting and disconnecting the head 2 and the rod elemen-t 50 of the cord-form drive means relative to each o-ther.
In FIGS. 8 through 10, numerals 57 and 58 ~re connec-tions between the cord-form drive elemen-ts 10a, 10b and the rod element 50. As may be readily seen from the drawings, with arrangement such that -the cord-form drive means 10 and the head 2 can be connected -to and disconnected from each other by said ready-to-engage connecting means, the heads 1,2 are moved for-ward or backward almost at same time to assemble or separate the filter plates 5,5.... in sequential order from both end sides when the head 2 and the cord-form drive means 10 are connected relative to each other through the connecting means; and if the connection between the head 2 and the cord-form drive means 10 through the connecting means is removed when the intervals between the individual fil-ter plates are closed, the hydraulic cylinder 30 is stretched to permit further advance of the head 2 so that the filter plates in assembled condition are further tightened.
In stil:L another embodiment of the invention, simul-taneous drive means for the heads 1 and 2 may be constructed as ~ollows. Referring to ~IGS. 11 to 13, the cord-form drive means lO comprise chains 10c,10g which correspond to the portions l -trained over the wheels 21,229 wheels 21,22 in the form of sprocket wheels, and wire ropes 10e,10i which correspond to portions between said chains 10c and 10g, said pair of chains 10c,10g and said pair of wire ropes 10e,10i being connec-ted by means of sticX-like connecting blocks 10d,10f.10h,10j to form an endless assembly. The cord-form drive means 10 in this embodiment are loosely connecte~ at the connecting block 1~j to the head 1 and loosely connected at the connecting block 10f -to the head 2. The connecting blocks 10j and 10f have elongate openings 6j and 6f respectively. The head 1 i.s connected to the connecting block 10j through a pin 125 which engages the elongate opening 6j, wi-th a loose stroke within which the pin 125 is loosely movable in the elonga-te opening 6j; and -the head 2 i9 connected to the connecting block 10f through a pin 126 which engages the elongate opening 6f, with a loose stroke within which the pin 126 is loosely movable in the elongate opening 6f. Thus, the relation between -the heads 1 and 2 is such that when the heads 1,2 are remotest from each other as in FIG. 11, if the cord-form drive means are driven counterclockwise, the pin 125 engages the left end of -the elongate opening 6j and the pin 126 engages the right end of the elongate opening 6f, so that the heads 1,2 are moved forward until the closed condition as in FIG. 12 is reached. When this closed condition is present, if the stoppers 32,132 are caused to act on the head 1 and movable beam 3 respectively (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) so that the head 1 and movable beam 3 are prevented from retreating, and thereafter if the hydraulic cylinder 30 (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) is stretched -to move the head 2 away from the movable beam 3 and thus to effect in¢reased tightening, the pin lZ6 moves within the elongate opening 6f in the left direction in FIG. 12 -to permit such increased -tightening.
In -the above embodiment, the heads 1 and 2 are loosely connected at pins 125 and 126 to the cord-form drive means 10.
Alternatively, only the pin 126 at the head 2 adjacent th~3 movable beam 3 may be loo~3ely connected in manner as above described.
In the embodinlents described above, the simultaneous S8~
1 drive means are connected to the heads 1 and 2 to move them almost simultaneously in the forward direction, a direction for closing the intervals between -the filter plates sequenti-ally from bo-th end sides and in the reverse direction, a direction for separating the filter plates in assembled con-dition sequenti.ally from both end sides. Since the head 2 and the movable beam 3 are moved in conjunction with each other during such ~orward and reverse movement, the simul-taneous drive means may be connected to the head 1 and the movable beam 3, instead of the heads 1,2 so that the heads 1,2 may be indirectly moved at same time (not shown3. In that case, relaxing means of the cord-form drive means 40 for allowing increased tightening by the head 2, ready-to-engage connecting means including pins 55 and holes 56, and loose connecting means comprising elongate holes 6f and pins 12S
are not required.
~ aving now described some preferred embodiments of the invention, the filter press in accordance with the i~-vention, as earlier stated, has a pair of heads 1,2 movably supported on a pair of guide rails and along the length thereof in same manner as the filter plates 5,5... arranged in multi-plicity therebetween, the heads 1,2.and filter plates 5,5...
being back and forth movably connected through loose connect.ing means. The pair of heads 1,2 are provided with simultaneous drive means for moving them almost simultaneously at least in the forward direction for closing the intervals between the filter plates sequentially from both end sides and in the reverse direction for separating the filter pla-tes sequentially from both end sides to provide intervals therebetween.
When they are to be assembled~ the filter plates may be moved simultaneously toward the center from both end sides, and when they are to be separated, the plates may be moved simultaneously away from the center from both end sides. Therefore, the ti.me requirement for such assembling and separating operation is reduced to about one half of that required with con-venti.onal ilter press, if the length o~ the train of filter plates is same. It follows that some two times. as long a _ 19 -5~
1 train of filter pla-tes as that of conventional filter press can be assembled and separated within same time requirement.
With the filter press of the present invention, therefore, miscellaneous cycle time involved in ~ilter-pla-te assemblin~
and separating can ~e so much decreased and thus filtration efficiency can be relatively improved.
Furthermore, in the filter press of -the invention, it is so arranged that the filter plates are assembled when the heads 1,2 are moved a predetermined distance toward each other, and:
the means for tightening the filter plates at assembled state under high pressure comprise ready-to-engage latch means for unretreatably holding one of the heads (head 1) in its forward position, a movable beam 3 disposed behind the other head 2 and connected to the head 2 through loose connecting means, with distance therebetween adjustable within a certain range, ready-to-engage latch means for unretreatably holding the movable beam 3 in its forward position, and locking means disposed between the movable beam 3 and the head 2, the stroke of.
said locking means can be reduced by the length o~
stroke with which the heads 1,2 are moved forward and reverse, as compared with the tightening stroke of filter presses of conventional type in which asse~bling and separating operation is carried out by moving only one of the heads forward and back-ward by tightening means for the filter pla-tes.
In accordance with the present invention, the stroke of the high pressure locking means can be considerably reduced as compared with the conventional type.
Therefore, the arrangement of the invention permits efficient tightening of many filter plates by use of l.ow-cost locking means.
The invent:ion may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteris-tics .J~
1. thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be con-sidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive~
the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descriptlon and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of.the claims are therefore intended to.be embraced therein.
,. 21 ~
Claims (10)
- Claim 1 continued....
and which is behind said other head and connected to said other head through loose connecting means including hydraulic cylinder means disposed between and connected to said other head and the movable beam so that an interval between the beam and said other head may be adjusted, ready-to-engage latch means for holding the movable beam in its forward position and without retreat relative to the guide rails. - 2. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 1, wherein said simultaneous drive means for moving the heads comprise cord-form drive means disposed along and on both sides of an entire train including the filter plates and the heads, and the movable beam, and trained in a substantially endless pattern over a pair of wheels rotatably supported at suitable locations on the frames or guide rails, connecting means for connecting the cord-form drive means at one suitable location to said one head and at another suitable location to the movable beam so that said one head and the movable beam may move in opposite directions from each other along the guide rails, and forward-reverse drive means connected to one of said wheels for forwarding and reversing the cord-form drive means.
- 3. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cord-form drive means com-prises a cord-form drive element connected at one portion thereof to said one head and at another portion thereof to the movable beam and trained over a wheel located behind said one head, and another cord-form drive element connected at one portion thereof to said one head and at another portion thereof to the movable beam and trained over a wheel located behind said other head, said cord-form drive means being thus substantially of endless form.
- 4. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 2, wherein said forward-reverse drive means for the cord-form drive means is a reversible motor interlockingly connected to one of said pair of wheels.
- 5. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 1, wherein said simultaneous drive means for moving the heads comprise cord-form drive means disposed along and on both sides of an entire train including the filter plates and the heads, and the movable beam, and trained in a substantially endless pattern over a pair of wheels rotatably supported at suitable locations on the frames or guide rails, connecting means for connecting the cord-form drive means at one suitable location to said one head and at another suitable location to said other head so that said one head and said other head may move in opposite directions from each other along the guide rails, and forward-reverse drive means connected to one of said wheels for forwarding and reversing the cord-form drive means.
- 6. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cord-form drive means com-prises a cord-form drive element connected at one portion thereof to said one head and at another portion thereof to said other head and trained over a wheel located behind said one head, and another cord-form drive element connected at one portion thereof to said one head and at another portion thereof to said other head and trained over a wheel located behind said other head, said cord-form drive means being thus substantially of endless form.
- 7. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 6, wherein means for connecting said cord-form drive elements to the heads comprise snap means for securing and connecting the cord-form drive elements suitably to the heads and wherein the cord-form drive means trained over the wheel located behind said other head is provided with relaxing means for allowing said other head to be moved forward.
- 8. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 7, wherein said relaxing means for the cord-form drive means comprises bearing means displaceably supporting a shaft of the wheel disposed behind said other head in each direction of movement of said other head, and displacement control means for displacing said bearing means between two desired positions.
- 9. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 1, wherein said latch means on said one head comprises projections suitably provided on respective side surfaces of said pair of guide rails, a pair of movable stoppers back and forth movably provided at suitable locations on said one head in orthogonal relation to the respective side surfaces of the guide rails, and means for actuating the pair of stoppers to move back and forth.
- 10. A filter press of movable twin head type as set forth in claim 1, wherein said latch means for the movable beam comprises projections suitably provided on res-pective side surfaces of said pair of guide rails, a pair of movable stoppers suitably provided on said movable beam and back and forth movable in orthogonal relation to the respective side surfaces of said guide rails, and means for actuating said pair of movable stoppers.
1. A filter press of movable twin head type having a plurality of filter plates movably arranged on a pair of parallel guide rails supported by machine frames, a pair of heads including a one head and another head disposed in such a way that the filter plates are entrained therebetween, the filter plates and the heads being movably connected by loose connecting means so that the filter plates may be separated to give definite intervals therebetween or assembled to close the intervals and so that the heads each may be separated from or brought close to an adjacent filter plate, characterized in;
i) that said pair of heads are movably supported on said pair of parallel guide rails;
ii) that said pair of heads are connected by simultaneous drive means for moving the heads in such manner that the filter plates are moved in a predetermined forward, plate-closing direction one after another beginning from those nearest to the heads to close the intervals between the filter plates, and that the filter plates are moved in a reverse, plate-separating direction one after another beginning from those nearest to the heads to provide intervals between the filter plates;
iii) said one head is provided with ready-to-engage latch means for holding said one head in a prede-termined forward position and without retreat relative to the guide rails as the filter plates are completely assembled, the other head being provided with locking means for further tightening the filter plates in their assembled condition; and iv) that said locking means provided on said other head comprises a movable beam which is movably supported on said pair of guide rails for movement therealong
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416821A CA1196580A (en) | 1982-12-02 | 1982-12-02 | Filter press of movable twin head type |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416821A CA1196580A (en) | 1982-12-02 | 1982-12-02 | Filter press of movable twin head type |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1196580A true CA1196580A (en) | 1985-11-12 |
Family
ID=4124062
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416821A Expired CA1196580A (en) | 1982-12-02 | 1982-12-02 | Filter press of movable twin head type |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1196580A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-12-02 CA CA000416821A patent/CA1196580A/en not_active Expired
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