US1208342A - Filter. - Google Patents

Description

T. J. LOFTUS.

FILTER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31.1916.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

THOMAS J. LOFTUS, OF CASTELLA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HARMON BELL, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

FILTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Application filed May 31, 1916. Serial No. 100,939.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. LOFTUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Castella, in the county of Shasta and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Filters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a filter.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a Water filter of the porous stone type, and particularly to provide a structure which will permit a compact arrangement of a large number of filtering tubes of the character described, thus forming a comparatively large filtering area within a small space.

Another object is to provide a simple clamping mechanism for sealing and securing the individual tubes and, furthermore, to provide means whereby the flow of water may be reversed through the tubes to permit the same to be easily and quickly cleaned when required.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the filter, showing the majority of the filtering tubes removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of one of the filtering tubes, showing the position of the clamping members and sealing rings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates a tank or casing which is divided into an upper and a lower chamber, such as indicated at 2 and 3, by means of a partition plate 4. This plate is suitably secured within the tank, or, as here shown, upon a shoulder 5. The plate is provided with a plurality of circular openings 6, shouldered, as at 7, to form seats for the porous stone filter tubes generally indicated at B. Each tube is provided with an annular flange 8 at the upper end which is adapted to engage the shoulder 7 and support the tube, as shown in Fig. 3. A gasket 9, interposed between the shoulder 7 and the annular flange 8 forms a seal at this point, While a gasket 10, interposed between the clamping ring 11,

it is possibl to make a very compact arrangement of a great number of filtering tubes. Each tube is closed and rounded, as at 18, at the lower end, and is entirely opened, as indicated at 1 1, at the upper end.

The water to be filtered is admitted to the lower chamber 3 from a suitable source of supply through a pipe 15 and passes through the walls of the several tubes to the interior of same where it collects and overflows through the upper opening 1 1 and the upper chamber 2. It may here be stored or permitted to overflow through a pipe 16 which may be connected with a storage tank or the like. The chamber 3 is also provided with a discharge pipe 17, upon which is mounted a valve 18, and the inlet pipe 15 is also provided with a valve 19 which is normally opened to permit a constant flow to the chamber 3 and, through the several filtering tubes, will deliver the filtered water to the chamber 2 and the overflow pipe 16. The impuritles, such as earthy solids, organic growths, and the like, contained in the incoming water delivered to the chamber 3 will, while the filter is operating, collect on the exterior surface of the several filtering tubes and must, therefore, necessarily be re moved from time to time to permit a perfect operation of the filter. This is accomplished by closing the valve 19 and opening the valve 18 on the discharge pipe 17. This will permit the water contained in the upper chamher 2 and the filtering tube B to flow by gravity in a reverse direction, thus dislodging the solids and impurities collected on the exterior surfaces of the tubes. The matter thus dislodged or removed will consequently escape through the pipe 17 or collect in the bottom of the chamber 3 where it is quickly removed by opening the valve 19 while valve 18 is still open.

The filter constructed as here shown is particularly adapted for use in connection with large filtration plants as it provides a large filtering area within a comparatively small space. The tubes may be of any di- ,1 tea, that ameter and length desired and the height of the chamber 3 may in some instances be sufficient to permit the operators to enter the chamber and scrub the exterior surfaces of the tubes, if desired.

In the present instance a single partition plate a is provided which is, as previously described, supported by the shoulder 5 and may also be supported by a plurality of stay bolts 20, arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is also possible that one or more 01": the plates l may be employed particularly in large. sized units. While the filter, as previously described, is particularly adapted for large filtration plants, it

is obvious that the number of tubesandthe v siZe oiisame may be redeeed to such an exe conveniently used for inary household purposes and it is also possible that the filter as a whole may be used for other liquids than water, as described.

The clamping mechanism, comprising the ring 11 and the engaging clamps 12, forms a separate unit with relation to each tube. It is, therefore, possible to quickly remove any tube without disturbing the others. It is also possible to plug any opening in which a filtering tube is mounted it it is desired to decrease or increase the number of same.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the filter are such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dietate.

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific desi n and construction here shown.

t aving. thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a filtering apparatus, a horizontally disposed tank having a shoulder between its top and bottom, a plate insertible in the Gopies of this patent may be obtained for tank through the top thereof and seating on the shoulder, said plate having a series of apertures each of which is surrounded by a larger cutaway part forming a shoulder, tubes open at their tops and closed at their bottoms and having their tops formed with fianges engaging with the last named shoulders, and individual means for retaining the tubes in position on the plates whereby each tube is removable from the plate independent of the others and may be all removed from the tank by upward movement of the plate.

2. In a filtering apparatus, a tank, a plate in the tank having a countersunk opening forming a shoulder, a tube open at its top and closed at its bottom and having a flange at its top engaged with said shoulder, a gasket seated on top of the flanges, a clamping ring seated on top of the gasket, and means to secure the clamping ring in position including L-shaped members each ot which has one le resting on top of the ring and its other leg bearing on the plate, and screws secured to the plate and extending through the first named of the L-members and having heads engaging the latter.

3. In a filtering apparatus, a tank, a plate therein having shouldered apertures, tubes closed at their bottoms and open at their tops and having flanges at their tops engaged in the shouldered apertures, a gasket for each tube seated on the flange thereof, a clamping ring on each gasket, and a series of independent clamps connected to the plate and movable to engage with the several clamping rings and away from the latter to allow of independent removal of the rings.

In testimony whereoi I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS J. LOFTUS.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. I-Innnrno, IV. W'. HEALEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G.

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