US3628666A

US3628666A - Filtering machine

Info

Publication number: US3628666A
Application number: US8453A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harvey M Wenger; Norman E Archer
Original assignee: WALS Inc
Current assignee: WALS Inc
Priority date: 1970-02-04
Filing date: 1970-02-04
Publication date: 1971-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-21

Abstract

A filtering machine based upon an endless ring-shaped rotating filter blanket continually being turned inside-out to disengage solid particles impinged upon the inside of the filter blanket.

Description

ilnited States Patent Inventors Harvey M. Weuger;

Norman E. Archer, both ol Holland, Mich.

Appl. No. 8,453

Filed Feb. 4, 1970 Patented Dec. 21, 1971 Assignee Wals, lnc.

FILTERING MACHINE 13 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl. 210/376 Int. Cl. B04b 3/08 Fleld of Search 210/370, 385, 377

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,411,582 4/1922 Parker et al Primary Examiner-J. L. DeCesare Attorney-Glenn B. Morse ABSTRACT: A filtering machine based upon an endless ringshaped rotating filter blanket continually being turned insideout to disengage solid particles impinged upon the inside of the filter blanket.

PATEMTED HEW I SHEET l [1}? 6 INVENTORS Mummy qer BY Newma 5 Archer ATTORNEY PATENTEU new W3 32866 INVENTORS Harvey Mo Wenger Nmmun E. Archer ATTUPNE Y INVENTORS Harvey W6nger BY Marmara E. Archer ATTU.WNEY

PATENTEU DEW I97! SHEET 3 OF 6 PATENTEU 051321 1971 SHEET t UP 6 JTORS Wenger E. rcher ATTORNEY ormun MTENTEU UECZI 187i SHEET 6 UF 6 lllllllllllllllllii\\\\\\\\\\\\ INVENTORS Harvey M. Wenger BY Norman E. Archer ATTURNEY IFIL'IEIIING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The removal of suspended and entrained solid particles from a liquid is normally accomplished through the use of a filter. The passage of the liquid through the filter material results in the mechanical removal from the liquid of all particles in excess of a selected size. The process is analogous to a screening operation. The movement of the liquid through the filter is induced either through the action of gravity, or by the generation of some pressure differential across the filter mass. Centrifugal force has been utilized to produce this pressure differential, usually by providing a generally cylindrical rotating filter mass, in which the raw material is dumped into the central area. The liquid moves radially through the filter mass, leaving the solid material entrapped on the inside surface.

The problem of renewing the filter mass recurs in the design of all high-capacity filtration equipment. It is obvious that the progressive accumulation of solid material in a filter will ultimately block off the flow of liquid to the point that insufficient liquid will flow through the mass under the available pressure differentials to satisfy the capacity requirements. Endless belt filters have been developed, particularly in conjunction with air-conditioning equipment, for presenting a continually renewed filter mass to the incoming fluid. This belt may be passed through a solvent or purging station for continuous renewal as the operation proceeds. To applicants knowledge, previous filter design has not made it possible to utilize centrifugal force pressure differentials to induce movement of the raw material through the filter, coupled with a continuously renewed filter mass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a continuously renewed filter mass in a machine utilizing centrifugal force to induce the movement of the fluid through the mass. A preferably annular filter blanket in the form of a ring-shaped tube is held in the desired configuration by a structure within the tube, with the result that the filter blanket has one layer on the outside of this structure, and the other layer on the inside. The filter blanket passes around the axially opposite ends of this inner structure with the assistance of rollers.

The subassembly of filter blanket and internal ring structure is supported by a rotating carrier equipped with groups of rollers engaging the subassembly, and preferably axially between the ends at a position such that the outer course of the filter blanket is depressed radially inward so that the carrier rollers, being axially interposed between the rollers supporting the filter blanket on the ring structure, are capable of positioning the subassembly against displacement in either axial direction, and also laterally. The filter blanket and its associated ring structure therefore rotate with the carrier, and the preferred form of the machine utilizes a vertical axis of rotation.

Raw fluid is admitted in the central area of the device, and centrifugal force will induce movement outward against the inner course of the filter blanket. A drive mechanism induces continuing movement of the filter blanket around the rollers of the interior ring structure to produce the effect of continually turning the blanket inside-out. A drive mechanism is incorporated in the carrier by inducing the rotation of the rollers supporting the filter subassembly. The interior ring struc ture defining the shape of the filter blanket is preferably in a slightly conical configuration such that liquid moving through the inner course of the filter blanket will have a natural ten dency to move downward toward the major diameter of the ring structure, thus supplementing the action of gravity to control the direction of movement of the liquid material. The driving of the filter blanket is facilitated by incorporating a layer of metallic mesh material along with the material performing the principal filtering function.

Liquid moving downward along the inside of the ring within the filter blanket is carried to a predetermined point defined by the lower edge ofthe ring, which is surrounded by an annular receiver. As the liquid passes down over the edge of the ring, and moves radially outward through the outer course of the filter blanket, it impinges upon this receiver, and accumulates at a drain outlet. Solid material moves upward along the inner course of the filter blanket, and passes over the top of the device. At this point, the combination of centrifugal force and the flexing of the filter blanket as it passes over the ring rollers induces a separation of the solid particles form the filter blanket, from which they are thrown outwardly onto a second surrounding collector. This material drops into a hopper, which is preferably outside of, and coaxial with, the inner liquid-accumulating receiver. The solid material is removed from the outer hopper by any convenient means, such as a screw conveyor. This form of separation is particularly useful in situations in which the percentage of solid material in the raw input is relatively large, and where it is desired to conserve this material. The raw material is preferably located within the rotor assembly by a fixed cylindrical shroud spaced at its lower end from a plate which is part of the rotative assembly. A gap between the lower end of the fixed shroud and the plate determines the size of solid particles that are to be thrown against the filter blanket. It is preferable to incorporate on agitator having some degree of pulverizing action to progressively reduce the size of any larger particles as the machine continues its operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the exterior of the filtering machine, from the side provided with the liquid discharge.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the machine from that shown in FIG. ll.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the structural details of the fixed frame of the machine.

FIG. I is a sectional elevation showing the interior of the machine with one outer panel removed.

FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale showing the metallic mesh material preferably incorporated with the filter blanket for support and driving.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation on the plane 66 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is an exterior view on the plane 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. h is a sectional plan view on the plane 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section on the plane 9-9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. is a fragmentary plan view showing the screw conveyor details.

FIG. 11 is a section on an enlarged scale taken on a vertical plane through one side of the filter blanket and carrier structure.

FIG. 12 is a sectional elevation showing the drive mechanism for inducing movement of the filter blanket.

FIG. 13 is an elevation of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. l2.

FIG. M presents the concentric components of the inner portion of the machine, which include the internal ring structure for the filter blanket, the rotating carrier, the fixed internal shroud, and the liquid collector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 3, the fixed frame of the machine includes the vertical comer members 20-23, "the top edge members 24-27, the bottom edge members 23-31, the bottom reinforcing rails Bil-35, and the

conveyor supporting rails

36 and 37. Diagonal members 38-4l extend from the respective cor ners to the central plate d2 which supports the rotor assembly. A sheet metal housing 43 surrounds the machine, and forms the outer surface of a collector for solid material. Raw material is admitted at the inlet M, filtered liquid is withdrawn at 45, and solid material by the screw conveyor generally indicated at 46.

Referring to FIG. 6, a motor 47 is mounted on the underside of the central plate $2, with the shaft 48 passing through the opening d9. A plate 50 is adjustably positioned along the threaded shaft 43 by the nuts 51, and a group of arms 52 are 7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of said member is vertical, and said inner course moves upwardly,

8. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter blanket includes a layer of mesh material, and said drive means includes toothed wheel means engaging said mesh.

9. A machine as defined in claim ll, wherein said groups of carrier rollers are interposed between the said rollers mounted at the opposite ends of said ring, said filter blanket being interposed between said ring rollers and carrier rollers.

10. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid and solid receiver means are concentric.

ll. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotative speed of said member is selected to establish a centrifugal force sufficient to dislodge entrapped particles of solid material from the outer course of said filter blanket.

12. A machine as defined in claimll, additionally including agitator means mounted on said member and disposed thereon to rotate within said shroud at a position axially displaced from said plate.

13. A filtering machine having a fixed frame and a member rotatably mounted in said fixed frame, wherein the improvement comprises:

a plate mounted on said member in a position substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof;

a ring having a plurality of rollers mounted at each of the opposite ends of said ring on axes substantially tangential to said ring;

a peripherally continuous endless filter blanket having inner and outer courses disposed on opposite sides of said ring, respectively, and extending over said rollers;

a carrier mounted on said member and including groups of carrier rollers disposed to receive and support said ring and filter blanket on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said member, and disposed to surround said plate;

drive means for said carrier rollers for inducing relative movement of the inner and outer courses of said filter blanket;

liquid receiver means surrounding one end of said carrier;

solid receiver means surrounding the opposite end of said carrier, said drive means being adapted to move the inner course of said filter blanket toward said opposite end; and

annular shroud means disposed within said ring and filter blanket, and providing a passage way communicating from the interior of said shroud to the exterior thereof at positions opposite the inner course of said filter blanket.

i is i W i"

Claims

1. A filtering machine having a fixed frame and a member rotatably mounted in said fixed frame, wherein the improvement comprises, a plate mounted on said member in a position substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof; a ring having a plurality of rollers mounted at each of the opposite ends of said ring on axes substantially tangential to said ring; a peripherally continuous endless filter blanket having inner and outer courses disposed on opposite sides of said ring, respectively, and extending over said rollers; a carrier mounted on said member and including groups of carrier rollers disposed to receive and support said ring and filter blanket on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said member, and disposed to surround said plate; drive means for said carrier rollers for inducing relative movement of the inneR and outer courses of said filter blanket; liquid receiver means surrounding one end of said carrier; solid receiver means surrounding the opposite end of said carrier, said drive means being adapted to move the inner course of said filter blanket toward said opposite end; and shroud means disposed within said ring and filter blanket, and providing a passage way communicating from the interior of said shroud to the exterior thereof at positions opposite the inner course of said filter blanket.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said member includes a shaft, and said plate is axially adjustable along said shaft.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the end of said shroud means is axially spaced from said plate.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said shroud means is secured to said fixed frame, and is axially spaced from said plate.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said plate is disposed adjacent said one end of said carrier.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring is substantially conical having the major diameter thereof adjacent said one end of said carrier.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of said member is vertical, and said inner course moves upwardly.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said groups of carrier rollers are interposed between the said rollers mounted at the opposite ends of said ring, said filter blanket being interposed between said ring rollers and carrier rollers.

11. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotative speed of said member is selected to establish a centrifugal force sufficient to dislodge entrapped particles of solid material from the outer course of said filter blanket.

12. A machine as defined in claim 1, additionally including agitator means mounted on said member and disposed thereon to rotate within said shroud at a position axially displaced from said plate.

13. A filtering machine having a fixed frame and a member rotatably mounted in said fixed frame, wherein the improvement comprises: a plate mounted on said member in a position substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof; a ring having a plurality of rollers mounted at each of the opposite ends of said ring on axes substantially tangential to said ring; a peripherally continuous endless filter blanket having inner and outer courses disposed on opposite sides of said ring, respectively, and extending over said rollers; a carrier mounted on said member and including groups of carrier rollers disposed to receive and support said ring and filter blanket on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said member, and disposed to surround said plate; drive means for said carrier rollers for inducing relative movement of the inner and outer courses of said filter blanket; liquid receiver means surrounding one end of said carrier; solid receiver means surrounding the opposite end of said carrier, said drive means being adapted to move the inner course of said filter blanket toward said opposite end; and annular shroud means disposed within said ring and filter blanket, and providing a passage way communicating from the interior of said shroud to the exterior thereof at positions opposite the inner course of said filter blanket.